System integration C3.1.1, C3.1.2, C3.1.3

• What is a system?

  A system is a group of interacting component parts that act together to form a unified whole.
• What is the hierarchy of systems in multicellular organisms?

  Cells are composed on organelles and molecules

  Tissues are composed of cells

  Organs are composed of tissues

  Organ systems are composed of organs

  Organisms are composed of organ systems
• What is system integration?

  System integration is the process by which different physiological systems in the body coordinate and work together to maintain homeostasis and/or perform a function.

  It depends on interaction between components. Often, this is complex and multifactorial, with many loops and branches. In animals, this communication is facilitated by the nervous system (electrical impulses) and the endocrine system (chemical messengers in the bloodstream).
• How does system integration occur in animals?

  In animals, the integration of systems occurs via the nervous system and the endocrine system. Here, the brain is the central information integration organ
• What are cells?


  According the cell theory, cells are the basic unit of life, meaning that they are the smallest structural unit that is capable of using energy to sustain itself in a highly ordered state. In multi-cellular organisms, cells differentiate to maintain a specific form in order to fulfil a specific function.
• What are some examples of cells?

  RBCs

  Epithelial cells

  Smooth muscle cells

  Neurons
• What are tissues?


  Tissues are groups of cells that work together to perform a specific function. They can contain more than one type of cell.

  The cells in a tissue must stick together and communicate with one another in order to coordinate function, with the exception of blood.
• What are the four basic types of tissues in humans?

  Connective tissue (binds and supports other tissues)

  Epithelial tissue (provides protective coverings, e.g. alveolar epithelium)

  Muscle tissue (moves the skeleton or surrounds organs/vessels)

  Nerve tissues (carries electric impulses)
• What are organs?


  Organs are groups of tissues that work together to perform a function. Organs contain more than one type of tissue.
• What are the three basic organs in seeded plants?

  Roots (Anchors, absorbs water, and stores nutrients)

  Stems (Supports the plant, transports nutrients)

  Leaves (performs photosynthesis)
• What are organ systems?

  Organ systems are groups of organs that interact to perform a function.
• What are the human organ systems?

  Nervous system

  Respiratory system

  Circulatory system

  Digestive system

  Excretory system

  Muscular system

  Skeletal system

  Immune system

  Reproductive system

  Endocrine system
• What is an organism?

  An organism is a living individual, made up of interconnected parts. Interactions and coordination between organ systems allows organisms to engage in the processes necessary to sustain life.
• What are emergent properties?

  At each level of biological organisation, new properties emerge when the parts interact as a wider whole.

  Understanding one level of biological organisation does not aid understanding of other levels, as the properties at the next level do not equal the sum of the properties of the component levels. This is because new properties emerge, that cannot be predicted solely by observations and knowledge of lower levels
• What is the type of signal in the endocrine system?

  Chemical
• What is the transmission of signal in the endocrine system?

  via the bloodstream
• What is the destination of signal in the endocrine system?

  Widespread, to all cells supplied with blood and containing hormone receptors
• What are the effectors in the endocrine system?

  Cells in any type of tissue
• What is the type of response in the endocrine system?

  Growth

  Development

  Reproduction

  Metabolic rate and heat generation

  Solute concentration in blood

  Mood
• What is the speed of response in the endocrine system?

  Slow
• What is the duration of response in the endocrine system?

  Long (until the hormone is broken down)
• What is the type of signal in the nervous system?

  Electrical (passage of cations across membranes)
• What is the transmission of signal in the nervous system?

  Via neurons
• What is the destination of signal in the nervous system?

  Highly focused, to one specific neuron or group of effector cells)
• What are the effectors in the nervous system?

  Muscles or glands
• What is the type of response in the nervous system?

  Contraction of muscle:

  Striated muscle- locomotion Smooth muscle- peristalsis Cardiac muscle- heart rate

  Secretion/response from a gland:

  Exocrine glands - sweat or saliva excretion Endocrine glands - epinephrine secretion
• What is the speed of response in the nervous system?

  Rapid
• What is the duration of response in the nervous system?

  Short (unless nerve impulses are sent repeatedly
• What is the role of blood in system integration?

  All organs are supplied with blood. It circulates in the body through the circulatory system, maintained by the pumping of the heart. The blood transports the nutrients, oxygen, hormones and water that cells require for metabolism. It also removes waste products, including the carbon dioxide produced in cellular respiration.

  It also transports heat energy that is generated by the reactions of metabolism. This transport all occurs at capillaries.