How Does My Body Work?

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

X-rays show hard substances in the body, like bones!

There are many other organs and tissues inside your body that are hard to see using x-ray technology:

The organs in your body are made up of tissues, which are a special group of similar cells. These cells have structures that allow them to carry out functions together. For example, the heart is made of cardiac tissue composed of cells that beat together, causing blood to flow in the body.

Inside your body are many organs that perform different jobs, allowing you to breathe, digest food, and grow!

• Can you name some of these organs?

The brain is the most important organ in your body, because it gives instructions to every other body part. It helps us learn, control movement, and experience emotions, and it makes sure that all of your other organs are functioning and responding properly. The brain is located in your skull for protection, which is why it is so important to wear a helmet when riding a bike!

In your chest, you have two lungs that process air so that you can breathe. They take in oxygen from the air so your blood is able to provide oxygen to every organ throughout your body. Your organs need oxygen to work!

Your heart is located between your lungs, and these two systems work together! Your heart is the pump that moves blood throughout your entire body. It beats regularly to provide essential nutrients to your body, from your brain all the way to your fingertips and toes.

You also have several organs that help digest food and remove waste from your body. When you eat food, it moves down a pathway to your stomach. In this organ, food is broken down into smaller pieces by chemicals called enzymes. These chemicals help us remove and process the nutrients from food and pass the waste.

Food then moves into the small and large intestines, where more nutrients and water are removed from the food. This helps us get the vitamins and minerals we need to grow.

The kidneys and the liver are organs that help the body remove waste. The liver works with the digestive system and the kidneys help clean the blood!

• What do you think the largest organ in your body is?

It is actually your skin! Skin is an organ that protects your body from the environment.

• How does skin protect you?

It keeps out invaders like disease and germs, it helps you keep a balanced temperature, and it holds everything in place.

Even though you can't see all of your organs, they are working inside to keep you healthy. Each organ has a specific job. The cells and tissues that make up the organ help it complete this assignment. Every organ system works together so that the entire body is able to function.

• What would happen if your heart stopped beating, or your stomach was not able to break down food? 

Discuss this with a parent or teacher before moving on.

In the Got It? section, you will watch a video to learn more about the major organs in the human body.