An organ system is a group of organs that work together to carry out a major function in the body. It is the highest level of organisation below the whole organism.Example: the digestive system
The digestive system breaks down large, insoluble food molecules into small, soluble ones and absorbs them into the blood. Its organs each have a role:
• mouth and oesophagus: take in food and move it to the stomach
• stomach: stores food, mixes it and begins protein digestion
• pancreas: secretes digestive enzymes into the small intestine
• liver: makes bile, which emulsifies fats
• small intestine: completes digestion and absorbs the products
• large intestine: absorbs waterOther organ systems in mammals
• gas exchange system: trachea, bronchi, bronchioles and lungs
• circulatory system: heart and blood vessels, transporting substances around the body
• nervous system, excretory system (kidneys, bladder), reproductive system and endocrine systemOrgan systems do not work in isolation. For example, oxygen absorbed by the gas exchange system is carried by the circulatory system to muscle cells, where it is used in respiration. Glucose from the digestive system reaches the same cells in the same way.Plants also have organ systems: the shoot system (stems, leaves, flowers), which carries out photosynthesis and reproduction, and the root system, which anchors the plant and absorbs water and mineral ions.
The digestive system breaks down large, insoluble food molecules into small, soluble ones and absorbs them into the blood. Its organs each have a role:
• mouth and oesophagus: take in food and move it to the stomach
• stomach: stores food, mixes it and begins protein digestion
• pancreas: secretes digestive enzymes into the small intestine
• liver: makes bile, which emulsifies fats
• small intestine: completes digestion and absorbs the products
• large intestine: absorbs waterOther organ systems in mammals
• gas exchange system: trachea, bronchi, bronchioles and lungs
• circulatory system: heart and blood vessels, transporting substances around the body
• nervous system, excretory system (kidneys, bladder), reproductive system and endocrine systemOrgan systems do not work in isolation. For example, oxygen absorbed by the gas exchange system is carried by the circulatory system to muscle cells, where it is used in respiration. Glucose from the digestive system reaches the same cells in the same way.Plants also have organ systems: the shoot system (stems, leaves, flowers), which carries out photosynthesis and reproduction, and the root system, which anchors the plant and absorbs water and mineral ions.