Health Quests

Know Your Body Systems

Which system in the human body do you think is the most important? Perhaps you think it is the cardiovascular system because it includes the heart, which pumps blood throughout the body. Maybe you think the nervous system is the most important because it includes the brain, which sends and receives messages. You might feel that the digestive system is the most crucial because it provides the fuel that the body needs for energy.

The truth, however, is that all of the body's systems are essential. They all work together to allow you to complete every task you perform-from simply eating and breathing to solving math problems, playing the piano, and riding a bike. Understanding your body systems and their functions will help you keep them in good working order and stay healthy. This activity will show you how to use the Internet to find important facts about the systems of the human body.

After exploring these sites and completing the questions, you will be able to

• identify the body systems.
• describe their functions.
• use your knowledge to explain the significance of one body system.

	Choose one of the body systems and using the information from the Web sites. Prepare a research report about that system. Be sure to include information about the body system's parts and functions as well as disorders of the system and guidelines for taking care of it. You should also provide a diagram or drawing of the system and its major parts.
	Health Links
	The Inner Body Visit this Web site to learn about ten body systems. What are four parts of the cardiovascular system? How does the liver aid the digestive system? Which body system includes the pancreas? http://www.innerbody.com/htm/body.html The Brain At these Web sites, you will learn how the brain is the body's information center. What are the three main parts of the brain? What are three cranial nerves and their functions? Describe two diseases or disorders of the brain. http://library.thinkquest.org/26812/ http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/body/brain_noSW.html The Muscular System Visit this Web site to learn how muscles work. What are the three different types of muscles in the body? What are the functions of each type? Which types of muscles are voluntary, and which types are involuntary? http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/body/muscles_noSW.html

Once you have explored these links and answered the questions, you are ready to write your research report. Your report should

• provide detailed information about one system in the human body.
• describe the parts, functions, disorders, and care of the system.
• present information that is clearly organized into paragraphs with clear main ideas and supporting details.
• reference sources correctly
• include one visual diagram or drawing of the body system.