PhET Activity for MS-LS1-3: Human Organ System

DIRECTIONS:
1. The simulation starts with a female model. Notice the eleven organ system cards surrounding the figure.
2. Click on any card, for example the 'SKELETAL' card, to see that system appear on the model and to read its description.
3. Click the same card again to hide the system.
4. Click the 'MALE' button at the top right to switch to the male model.
5. Try layering multiple systems at once by clicking several different cards.
6. Type the 'b' key on your keyboard to reset the simulation to the initial state (blank female model).
Spend 2-3 minutes exploring the simulation. Click on various organ system cards, switch between the male and female models, and see how you can show or hide different systems. Get comfortable with the controls.

QUESTION: Are you acquainted with the tools in this simulation?

DIRECTIONS:
1. Ensure the simulation is reset to the initial female model. If not, type 'b' to reset.
2. Click on the 'SKELETAL' card located on the middle left.

QUESTION: Based on the simulation, what is the primary function of the skeletal system?

DIRECTIONS:
1. Starting with the skeletal system visible, click on the 'MUSCULAR' card at the top left.

QUESTION: Describe how the skeletal and muscular systems work together as a subsystem to perform a function that neither could do alone. Use the visual evidence from the simulation in your answer.

DIRECTIONS:
1. With the skeletal and muscular systems still visible, click on the 'NERVOUS' card on the middle right.

QUESTION: The nervous system acts as the body's command center. It ___ and processes information and sends out ___ to control the body's actions and functions.

(a)  

DIRECTIONS:
1. Type 'b' to reset the simulation to a blank female model.
2. Click the 'NERVOUS' card.
3. Click the 'MUSCULAR' card.

QUESTION: For you to kick a ball, your nervous system sends signals to your muscular system, causing muscles to contract. This shows that organ systems (a)   to carry out complex functions.

DIRECTIONS:
1. Type 'b' to reset the simulation.
2. Click the 'CARDIOVASCULAR' card.
3. Click the 'RESPIRATORY' card.

QUESTION: The respiratory system takes in oxygen, and the cardiovascular system transports it to the cells. What is the most likely reason these two systems are shown so close together in the chest?

DIRECTIONS:
1. With the cardiovascular and respiratory systems visible, click the 'DIGESTIVE' card.

QUESTION: The digestive system breaks down food into nutrients. How do these nutrients get from the digestive system to all the cells in the body that need them? Explain the role of the cardiovascular system in this process.

DIRECTIONS:
1. Type 'b' to reset the simulation.
2. Click on the 'URINARY' card.

QUESTION: The urinary system is responsible for filtering ___ from the ___ and removing it from the body as urine.

(a)  

DIRECTIONS:
1. Starting with the urinary system visible, click the 'DIGESTIVE' card.
2. Next, click the 'CARDIOVASCULAR' card.

QUESTION: Which statement best describes the role of the cardiovascular system as it interacts with the digestive and urinary systems?

DIRECTIONS:
1. Type 'b' to reset the simulation to the blank female model.
2. Click the 'REPRODUCTIVE' card and observe the female system.
3. Click the 'MALE' button at the top right to switch models. The view will reset.
4. Click the 'REPRODUCTIVE' card again and observe the male system.

QUESTION: While many organ systems are broadly similar between the two models, the most significant anatomical difference is seen in the (a)   system.