OpenStax-CNX module: m45533
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Introduction
∗
OpenStax College
This work is produced by OpenStax-CNX and licensed under the
Creative Commons Attribution License 3.0
Figure 1:
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An arctic fox is a complex animal, well adapted to its environment. (credit: Keith Morehouse,
USFWS)
The arctic fox, a complex animal that has adapted to its environment, illustrates the relationships
between an animal's form and function. The multicellular bodies of animals consist of tissues that make up
∗ Version
1.2: Apr 8, 2013 2:37 pm -0500
† http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
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OpenStax-CNX module: m45533
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more complex organs and organ systems. The organ systems of an animal maintain homeostasis within the
multicellular body. These systems are adapted to obtain the necessary nutrients and other resources needed
by the cells of the body, to remove the wastes those cells produce, to coordinate the activities of the cells,
tissues, and organs throughout the body, and to coordinate the many responses of the individual organism
to its environment.
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