Metabolism
* Digestive System: Breaks down food into smaller molecules that the body can absorb and use for energy and building blocks.
* Mouth: Mechanical breakdown (chewing) and initial chemical digestion (saliva).
* Esophagus: Transports food to the stomach.
* Stomach: Churns food and mixes it with gastric juices for chemical digestion.
* Small Intestine: Primary site of nutrient absorption.
* Large Intestine: Absorbs water and electrolytes, forms feces.
* Respiratory System: Provides oxygen for cellular respiration (the process that produces energy) and removes carbon dioxide (a waste product of metabolism).
* Lungs: Gas exchange (oxygen in, carbon dioxide out).
* Cardiovascular System: Transports nutrients, oxygen, and waste products throughout the body.
* Heart: Pumps blood.
* Blood Vessels: Carry blood to and from cells.
* Endocrine System: Produces hormones that regulate metabolism.
* Pancreas: Produces insulin and glucagon, which regulate blood sugar levels.
* Thyroid: Produces hormones that regulate metabolism.
* Adrenal Glands: Produce hormones involved in stress response and metabolism.
* Liver: Plays a central role in metabolism, including:
* Carbohydrate metabolism: Regulates blood glucose levels.
* Lipid metabolism: Processes fats and cholesterol.
* Protein metabolism: Processes amino acids.
* Detoxification: Removes toxins from the body.
* Production of bile: Aids in fat digestion.
* Musculoskeletal System: Provides energy for movement, and muscle tissue itself is involved in metabolic processes.
* Nervous System: Regulates and coordinates metabolic processes.
Excretion
* Digestive System: Eliminates solid waste (feces) through the large intestine.
* Respiratory System: Eliminates gaseous waste (carbon dioxide) through the lungs.
* Urinary System: Filters waste products from the blood and eliminates them as urine.
* Kidneys: Filter blood and produce urine.
* Ureters: Transport urine from kidneys to the bladder.
* Bladder: Stores urine.
* Urethra: Carries urine out of the body.
* Skin: Eliminates small amounts of waste products through sweat.
Important Note: These organ systems are intricately connected and work together to maintain homeostasis (a stable internal environment) in the body.
