More Systems of the Body

After eating a quick, ten-minute breakfast (and the aforementioned bacon grease incident), I got back to work at 10:40 AM.

I learned that the urinary system is responsible for filtering blood by removing excess water, salt, acid, and metabolic waste as urine. Its organs include the kidneys, which serve as a filtration and reabsorption system, the ureters, the urinary bladder, and the urethra.

The integumentary system is the first line of defense for the body. It regulates temperature, senses changes in the environment, supports the removal of wastes, and aids in the production of vitamin D. It includes the largest organ in the body -- skin! The epidermis acts as a waterproof barrier to the external environment. The deeper dermis contains nerves, sensory receptors, and blood vessels. Even deeper than the dermis lies the hypodermis, which acts as an insulator and shock absorber. Hair, nails, and several glands make up the rest of this system. Sebaceous glands act as waterproofing agents, apocrine glands hydrate the skin, and merocrine glands (or eccrine glands) produce sweat.

The skeletal system provides support and protection for soft tissues and organs. It aids in movement, stores calcium, and produces all blood cells through a process in the marrow known as hemotopoiesis. Cartilage protects the bones, ligaments connect bones to each other, and tendons connect bones to muscles.

On to the muscular system. This system generates force for movement of bones around articulations (joints) and assists with temperature regulation. Though there are three general types of muscle, skeletal muscle is made up of distinct muscle fibers. The functional unit is called a sarcomere and contains actin and myosin proteins. Neuromuscular junctions are where the nerve meets the muscle to stimulate it. Tendons are shared by this system and the skeletal system, sometimes called the musculoskeletal system.

At 11:40 AM I took another break, but I'd be back.

#anatomy #physiology #capacitybuilding #seniorproject