Lecture Notes on Organ Systems

ORGAN SYSTEMS: STRUCTURES AND FUNCTIONS

Organ Systems are components of organisms or living things comprising of related or groups of organs
and their specific but coordinated functions. Complex organisms such as higher plant group
(angiosperms or flowering plants )and higher animal group (vertebrates) are composed of organ
systems that enable them to exist and survive in their particular environments. Likewise lower forms of
have their own organ systems.

Plant Organ Systems such as those of angiosperms or flowering seedplants are generally divided into
the following:
1.Shoot System- is composed of different forms of stems (caulisystems) and leaves (phyllosystems)
2.Root System-is composed different forms of roots (rhizosystem)
3.Reproductive System-is composed of flowers, fruits and seeds
4.Defense System includes anti-predation avoiding structures such as trichomes (epidermal hairs,spines
pricks and thorns) and toxic chemical secreting glands.

Animal Organ Systems such as those of backboned animals or vertebrates are generally divided into
the following:
1.Integumentary System is composed of the skin(tegument) and its epidermal and dermal structural
derivatives for external protection of the body from hazardous conditions of the environment ,
regulation of body fluid loss and giving contour or outline of the body.
2.Skeletal System is composed of bones and cartilages that make up the body’s protective framework
support and stability.
3. Muscular System is composed of muscle tissues making organs necessary for body shape, movement
and heat production.
4. Digestive System is made of organs such as digestive tubes (alimentary tubes), digestive glands and
accessory organs needed for physical and chemical processing food in order for the
body to replenish energy and for removal of digestive wastes.
5. Circulatory Systems (Cardiovascular and Lymphatic or Immune System) is composed of organs for
distribution of blood carrying oxygen, carbon dioxide and nutrients to all organs and tissues of the
body as well as for distribution of lymphatic fluids (lymph) containing antibodies for chemical defense
of the body against infectious agents or pathogens.
6. Respiratory System is composed organs comprising of upper and lower respiratory tubes, body
cavities and lungs necessary for exchange of gases between environment and lungs and between
blood and other body tissues
7. Urinary System (Excretory System) is composed of blood filtering and urine synthesizing organs such
as kidneys in order to maintain blood volume and pressure and for removal of liquid wastes through
urinary tubes(ureters), urinary bladder and passageways (urethra).
8. Reproductive System is composed of organs necessary for preservation of your own kind (species)
by copulation through external genitalia and through fertilization of gametes produced by
gonads (testes and ovaries) influenced by their synthesized sex hormones and reproductive fluids.
9. Nervous and Sensory System is composed of organs such as the brain and spinal cord, cranial and
spinal nerves which are necessary for our awareness of the phenomena from our environment, body
function coordination, memory and intelligence and in cooperation with our body senses through
organs for visual sense, (seeing), auditory sense (hearing), gustatory sense(tasting), olfactory sense
(smelling)and cutaneous sensitivity(touching).
10.Endocrine System is composed of ductless organs (endocrine glands) and tissues whose internal
 secretions (hormones) do not pass through vessels but are mixed with blood being circulated
throughout the body. Such system is necessary for regulation of metabolism and maintenance of
steady internal conditions or balance of the body (homeostasis). It includes hypothalamus, pituitary
gland (anterior, middle and posterior lobes), pineal gland, thyroid, parathyroids, thymus, spleen,
pancreas, adrenal glands (cortex and medulla), gastric and intestinal glands, gonads (testes and
ovaries

Plant and Animal Organ Systems with Corresponding Organ Components ,Parts and General Functions
PLANT ORGAN SYSTEMS
Organ System Organs Involved Parts General Functions

Shoot System Blade(lamina), Petiole (Leaf Photosynthesis, Anti-

A.Phyllosystem Leaves and modified forms Stalk, Margin, Apex, Base, predation, Water Storage
(spines, storage leaves,) Veins:(Principal/Midrib) and
Lateral Veins, Stipules ,Ligule

B. Caulisystem Stems Nodes, Internodes, Bud Support leaves branches,

A.(Epiterranean) Scars, Leaf Scars, Bundle twigs, buds , flowers and
Scars, Twig Scars, Lenticels fruits, exchange of gases,
sugar and water storage

B.Subterranean (Underground) Tubers, bulbs, corms, Storage of starch and other

and Anchorage Stems rhizomes, tendrils ,runners carbohydrate substances,
anchorage of vines and
runners
Root System
A. Fibrous Primary roots Primary Roots Anchor Main Stem on the
ground
B. Taproot Primary, Secondary,Tertiary Roots Primary, Secondary,Tertiary
Storage Roots, Aerial Roots, Roots Storage of Starch
C. Specialized Anchorage Roots Storage Roots, Aerial Roots, And other carbohydrate
Anchorage Roots substances, serve as
rootcrops
Reproductive System
A.Floral System(Whorl) Flowers
A.Perfect(Complete/Monoecious) Perianth, Supports and protects
Petals(Corolla),Calyx, Ovary, Attracts insects
B.Imperfect(Incomplete/Dioecious) Sepals, Receptacle, during pollination
(Staminate or Pistillate Stamen,Pistil,
Fruits
B.Pomosystem A.Simple (Fleshy,Dry)) Ovary Wall(Pericarp): Protective enclosure and
B.Compound (Aggregate, Multiple) Exocarp,Mesocarp,Endocarp, dispersal of seeds, serve as
Fruit stalk, Locule food for other organisms

C.Spermosystem Seeds One or Two Cotyledons Storage of some sugar

A.Monocotyledonous (Seedleaves), epicotyl, substances and flavorings.
hypocotyl, Endosperm, Contains embryo which
B. Dicotyledonous Radicle, Coleoptyle, will germinate to become
Coleorhiza, embryo new plant.
Defense System

ANIMAL ORGAN SYSTEMS

Organ System Organs/Tissues Component Parts General Functions
Involve

Integumentary System Skin Epidermis,dermis,hypodermi Protection,secretion,

Structural derivatives s Sensation,vitamin D
(epidermal and Hair,horns,nails,glands, synthesis,locomotion
dermal) chromatophores (spines,feathers)
Antlers,Touch receptors,

Skeletal System Bones and cartilages Axial skeleton: skull, ear Protection of delicate parts
that make up the ossicles, mandible, hyoid, of the body, serve as levers
body’s framework vertebral column, ribs, for muscle attachment,
sternum (chestbone) stability of body posture,
Appendicular Skeleton: calcium deposition, blood
Pectoral girdles,(scapula formation (hemopoiesis)
clavicle),pelvic girdles(ilium,
ischium, pubis)

Skeletal Muscles, Striations,peripheral nuclei Voluntary contraction of

Muscular System muscles attached to skeleton
necessary for body
movement
Smooth (Visceral Spindle-shaped Cells with Involuntary contraction of
Muscles), Central nuclei found in basal digestive and respiratory
linings of intestines and tubes
stomach

Cardiac Muscles Striations, Involuntary contraction of

intercalated disks, heart muscle to pump blood
central nuclei during circulation
Pharynx, Passageway of partially
esophagus, digested food(bolus),

stomach, partial digestion of food,

DigestiveTubes secretion of gastric enzymes
Digestive System
and gastric hormones

small intestines, final digestion of food,

secretion of intestinal
enzymes and hormones

storage of digestive wastes

 large intestines and absorption of water
(colon/bowels)
synthesis of bile,
Liver detoxification of substances

synthesis of insulin,glucagon
Pancreas secretion of saliva
Digestive Glands salivary glands, secretion of intestinal
intestinal glands, enzymes and hormones
secretion of gastric enzymes
Accessory Digestive gastric glands, and hormones
Structures protection of teeth
Gums, physical processing of food to
Teeth smaller pieces(mastication)
tasting, swallowing of food
Tongue, protection of pharynx against
Tonsils oral infections

Circulatory System
A. Cardiovascular System Heart Epicardium Reception of unoxygenated
Myocardium blood from the body and
Endocardium distribution of oxygenated
B. Lymphatic/Immune blood to the body
Arteries Tunica externa Passageway of blood awy
System
Veins Tunica media, Valves from the heart or towards
the heart
Blood Capillaries Endothelium Passageway of lymphatic
fluid
Tonsils Protection of oral cavity
against infection
Spleen Destruction of RBC
Thymus Production of Thymosin
Lymphatic Vessels Passageway of
lymph(lymphatic fluid)
Upper Respiratory Nostril, Filtration and Passageway of
Tract Nasal Cavity air
Pharynx Swallowing of food
Larynx Production of sound/voice
Respiratory System
Lower Respiratory Trachea Passageway of air
Tract Bronchi
Bronchioles,
Alveolar Ducts
Alveoli Exchange of gases through
Lungs inspiration and expiration
manifested by mechanisms
of breathing
 Kidney Capsule, Renal Pyramids, Filtration of blood and
Renal Calyx, Renal Pelvis synthesis of urine

Ureter Passageway of urine from

kidney to urinary bladder
Urinary System
Urinary Bladder Trigone, detrusor muscle Temporary storage of urine
(muscularis propria)
Urethra Release of urine outside the
Prostatic urethra, body
penile urethra

External Genitalia Penis (Phallus), Passageway of urine and

semen
Scrotum, Regulates temperature of
testes, protects the testes
Vulva(clitoris,labia Serve as external sex organs
majora,labia of female mammals
minora,vestibule)

Reproductive System Internal Genitalia Testes (Spermaries/Male Secretion of testosterone

Gonads) leading development and
maturation of sperm
cells(spermatogenesis)

Ovaries(Oophora/Female Secretion of estrogen leading

Gonads) to development and
maturation of egg cells(ova)

Accessory Ducts(Efferent Passageway of seminal fluid

Ductus,Defferent or Sperm and sperm cells
Ducts)
Accessory Glands(Seminal
Vesicle,Prostate
Gland,Cowper’s Gland) Secretion of seminal fluid
Ovaries (Oophora/Female Secretion of female sex
Gonads) hormones and production of
egg cells(oogenesis)
Uterus(Womb) Site for implantation and
development of embryo and
secretion of HCG
Vagina Releases menstrual
discharge,vaginal fluids and
 reception of penis during
coitus(sexual intercourse)
Central Nervous Brain Center for sensory and motor
System Spinal Cord reception, facilitate memory,
Peripheral Nervous intelligence
Nervous and Sensory System
A. Somatic Division Cranial Nerves Stimulate muscles and sense
Systems
B. Autonomic Spinal Nerves organs to facilitate voluntary
Division and involuntary responses.
Reception of stimuli and
Conduction of impulses
Hypothalamus
Pituitary Gland Adenohypophysis (Anterior Secretion of anterior lobe
Endocrine System Pituitary Gland) hormones (TSH, ACTH, FSH,
LH, PRL,GH)
Neurohypophysis (Posterior Secretion of posterior lobe
Pituitary Gland) hormones (ADH, Oxytocin)
Secretion of thyroid
Thyroid hormones
Parathyroid Thyroid Follicles Secretion of thymosine
Thymus leading to production and
Thymocytes maturation of lymphocytes
T-Lymphocytes Production of antibodies
Secretion of Glucocorticoids
Adrenal Gland which increases blood
Adrenal Cortex and glucose
Secretion of Epinephrine
Adrenal Medulla and Norepinephrine
which raise blood glucose
level during emergency
Secretion of insulin which
control blood glucose rise
Pancreas Islets of Langerhans Cells and Glucagon which
increases blood glucose level

Testes Seminiferous Tubules Secretion of testosterone and

Ovaries Oogenic Cells, Graafian promotes spermatogenesis
Follicles (sperm development and
maturation)
Uterus Endometrium, Myometrium
Perimetrium Secretion of progesterone
and HCG(Human Chorionic
Gonadotropins)

Prepared by SIR DENNIS M. CARDENAL,LPT,Tchr-II,BSBioSci