Introduction to the Human
Body
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Printed: November 18, 2015
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C HAPTER
Chapter 1. Introduction to the Human Body
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Introduction to the Human
Body
Key Concepts
• Levels of organization of the human body
• Human organ systems
• Homeostasis
Standards
Lesson Objectives
• Describe the levels of organization of the human body.
• Explain how human organ systems work together to maintain homeostasis.
Lesson Vocabulary
• connective tissue: type of tissue that forms the body’s structure; includes bone, cartilage, and blood
• epithelial tissue: type of tissue that covers inner and outer body surfaces and secretes and absorbs substances;
includes skin and linings of internal organs
• muscle tissue: type of tissue that consists of cells that can contract; includes skeletal, cardiac, and smooth
muscle tissues
• nervous tissue: type of tissue that consists of cells that can send and receive electrical messages; includes the
tissues of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves that run throughout the body
Teaching Strategies
Introducing the Lesson
Engender student interest in the human body and organ systems by sharing some or all of these fascinating facts
with your class:
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The average adult human being is made up of 100 trillion cells.
A newborn baby has 350 bones, but a fully-grown adult has only 206 bones.
More than half the bones in the human body are in the hands and feet.
The heart beats about 3 billion times in the average person’s lifetime.
Blood is a liquid tissue.
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• The surface area of the lungs is about the same size as a tennis court.
• Food can travel to your stomach even if you’re standing on your head.
Cooperative Learning
The activity described at the following URL requires groups of students to investigate different organ systems of the
human body. Each group should be assigned a different organ system and produce a fact sheet and a 3-D model of
all or part of their assigned system. They will also create a “grabber” to attract attention to their exhibit, which they
will set up as part of the class’s overall “fantastic voyage.” Individual members of the groups will have specific roles
to fill, but each group member must participate in all aspects of the project. http://www.accessexcellence.org/AE/A
EC/AEF/1995/allard_voyage.php
Activity
With the activity at the URL below, students will explore how the human body maintains homeostasis. The Web
site guides you through a variety of different activities that develop knowledge of the process in your students. The
activities include hands-on data collection activities, structured class discussions, video clips, and interactive Web
activities. http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/tdc02.sci.life.reg.lp_humanreg/human-body-regulation/
Cooperative Learning
Divide the class into pairs and ask each student to trace an outline of his or her partner’s body on a large piece of
butcher paper. Then have each student draw (or create using construction paper) as many body organs as possible
within the outline. Encourage students to label their drawings.
Differentiated Instruction
Pair any English language learners and less proficient readers with other students, and have partners work together
on the human body systems word search puzzle at the URL below. The puzzle will reinforce basic terminology and
the main functions of the organ systems. http://sciencespot.net/Media/hlthhumbdypuzz.pdf
Enrichment
Assign the body system challenge game at the following URL for an enrichment activity. Thirty-one terms relating
to the human body systems are hidden in the puzzle. Students have to find each term and then link it with its correct
system. http://sciencespot.net/Media/hlthhumbdychall.pdf
Science Inquiry
With the exploration activity at the URL below, students will investigate how the human body maintains homeostasis
during exercise. Students will carry out an experimental design, collect and graph data, analyze data and draw
conclusions, share data and conclusions with their peers, and revise initial ideas and hypotheses. http://7th-grade
.mcdowell.ejh.groupfusion.net/modules/locker/files/get_group_file.phtml?gid=92844&fid=1111977
====Health Connection==== Briefly discuss with students the major body systems and how they function. Brainstorm a list of things young people can do to keep their bodies functioning smoothly. Ask each student to write and
illustrate one health or safety rule they can follow. Display the rules on a classroom bulletin board.
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Chapter 1. Introduction to the Human Body
Overcoming Misconceptions
Students often think that the human organ systems operate in isolation from one another. Be sure to give them
several examples of ways the organ systems interact. For example, explain how the digestive system and circulatory
systems are connected.
Reinforce and Review
Lesson Worksheets
Copy and distribute the Lesson 16.1 worksheets in CK-12 MS Life Science Workbook. Ask students to complete
the worksheets alone or in pairs to reinforce lesson content.
Lesson Review Questions
Have students answer the Review Questions at the end of Lesson 16.1 in CK-12 MS Life Science Flexbook. Answers
are provided below.
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3.
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Outline how the human body is organized.
List three examples of specialized human cells.
What are the four types of human tissues?
Identify and state the functions of three human organ systems.
Describe an example of two or more organ systems working together to maintain homeostasis.
Compare and contrast muscle tissue and epithelial tissue.
Lesson Quiz
Check students’ mastery of the lesson with Lesson 16.1 Quiz in CK-12 MS Life Science Assessments.
Points to Consider
The skin is a familiar organ made of epithelial tissue.
• How do you choose healthy foods?To which organ system does the skin belong?
• What other organs are in this organ system?
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