The human body is the most wonderful, complex machine in the world. Your body can walk and run, climb and sit. It can see, hear, smell, taste, and feel. It can eat, talk, laugh, lift things, play games, think, and read.
     While these things are going on, you are breathing; there is blood flowing through your blood vessels; you are digesting food; and your body is doing a million other jobs at the same time! All through your life this marvelous machine is at work-even when you are sleeping.
 

These are a few systems of the human body:

The nervous system: Your brain, your spinal cord, and the millions of nerve cells in your body make up your nervous system.

The circulatory system: Your circulatory system is make up of your heart, arteries, veins, and very thin blood vessels called capillaries.

The digestive system: Your mouth, esophagus, stomach, large and small intestines and other organs make up your digestive system.

The respiratory system: Oxygen enters your body through your nose or mouth, moves down your windpipe and into your lungs. Your lungs are the most important part of your respiratory system.
 

The St. Louis Science Center has selected your team of medical students to create an interactive exhibit of the nervous system, the circulatory system, the digestive system, and the respiratory system for their children's museum. Your task is to inform the public of the role of the organs within each system and the importance of each system to the function of a healthy human body.

Questions to be answered as you research the following systems:
 

1. What are the sense organs? What function do they serve? 
2. What is the difference between sensory nerves and motor nerves? 
3. What is the function of the brain, nerves and spinal cord? 
4. What is the difference between the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system? 
5. How big is your brain?
6. Draw and label the organs of the nervous systems. 
 

1. What is the function of the heart, the lungs and blood vessels in the circulatory system? 
2. Draw a diagram of a heart and label all parts showing how blood circulates through the chambers, lungs, and body. 
3. Describe the differences between red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma and platelets. 
4. What kind of blood vessels are in your body?  Tell where they lead. 
5. What are the kidneys? Tell how they help your blood.

1. What is the function of the digestive system?
2. What are the functions of the following organs in the digestive process: the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and rectum? 
3. What is the difference between mechanical and chemical processes? 
4. Describe the process that occurs within the digestive system when you eat and apple. 
5.Draw a diagram showing the organs of the digestive system. 
 

1. What is the primary function of the respiratory system? 
2. What is the function of the trachea, lungs and diaphragm in respiration? 
3. How does the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occur in the lungs and tissues? 
4. Draw and label the organs of the respiratory system. 
 

1. Who has more bones, children or adults? Explain your answer. 
2. Why do you need your bones? 
3. What is the name of the bone that protects your brain?
4. What set of bones protect your other vital organs?
5. Cut out the bones and arrange them on the life size body.