
An example of a system: The nervous system. This basic diagram shows that this system is made up of 4 different basic organs: the
brain, the
cerebellum, the
spinal cord, and the
nerves.
In
biology, a 'system' is a group of
organs that together perform a certain task. Common systems, such as those present in mammals and other animals, seen in
human anatomy, are those such as the
circulatory system, the
respiratory system, the
nervous system, etc.
A group of systems composes an
organism.
Human systems
Humans have a a variety of systems due to the complexity of the species' organism. These specefic systems are widely studies in
Human anatomy. ''"Human" systems'' are also present in many animals.
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Circulatory system: pumping and channeling
blood to and from the body and lungs with
heart,
blood, and
blood vessels.
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Digestive system: digestion and processing food with
salivary glands,
esophagus,
stomach,
liver,
gallbladder,
pancreas,
intestines,
rectum, and
anus.
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Endocrine system: communication within the body using
hormones made by
endocrine glands such as the
hypothalamus,
pituitary or pituitary gland,
pineal body or pineal gland,
thyroid,
parathyroids, and
adrenals or adrenal glands
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Integumentary system:
skin,
hair and
nails
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Lymphatic system: structures involved in the transfer of lymph between tissues and the blood stream, the
lymph and the
nodes and
vessels that transport it including the
Immune system: defending against disease-causing agents with
leukocytes,
tonsils,
adenoids,
thymus, and
spleen
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Muscular system: movement with
muscles.
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Nervous system: collecting, transferring and processing information with
brain,
spinal cord,
peripheral nerves, and
nerves
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Reproductive system: the sex organs, such as
ovaries,
fallopian tubes,
uterus,
vagina,
mammary glands,
testes,
vas deferens,
seminal vesicles,
prostate, and
penis.
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Respiratory system: the organs used for breathing, the
pharynx,
larynx,
trachea,
bronchi,
lungs, and
diaphragm.
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Skeletal system: structural support and protection with
bones,
cartilage,
ligaments, and
tendons.
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Urinary system:
kidneys,
ureters,
bladder and
urethra involved in fluid balance, electrolyte balance and excretion of urine.
See also
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Artificial life
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Biological systems engineering
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Systems biology
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Systems ecology
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Systems theory
External links
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Systems Biology: An Overview by Mario Jardon: A review from the Science Creative Quarterly, 2005.
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Synthesis and Analysis of a Biological System, by Hiroyuki Kurata, 1999.