Unit 1

The organisation of
the human body
 Unit 1
The organisation of the
human body

1 Levels of organisation
Atomic level → Atoms C H O N P S y Ca, K, Na, Mg, Mn, Fe, I …

(Bioelements) Water
Inorganic biomolecules Mineral salts
Molecular level→ Molecules
Carbohydrates
(Biomolecules) Organic biomolecules Lipids
Proteins
Cellular organelles Nucleic acid
Cellular level→ Cells
Tissue

Organism level Organs

Systems
 Unit 1
The organisation of the
human body

1 Levels of organisation
 Unit 1
The organisation of the
human body

1 Levels of organisation of life

 Unit 1
The organisation of the
human body

1 Levels of organisation of life

Basic unit of living things. First level capable
Cells of life.
Group of coordinated cells which perform a
Tissues
specific function.

Organs Tissues group together to form organs, which

carry out a certain function.
Systems Formed by groups of organs, share the necessary task
to perform the functions of nutrition, reproduction
and interaction of an organism.
Organism
-Biology

Biology: Science that studies the living organisms.

“Biology is the natural science that studies life and living organisms, including
their physical structure, chemical processes, molecular interactions,
physiological mechanisms, development and evolution”. (Wikipedia)
-Living organisms
Living organisms must:

Carry out vital functions (3) Are made up of cells

Vital functions

NUTRITION INTERACTION REPRODUCTION

Management of the Management of the New individuals

matter and the information of the prodution (of the
energy that we need environment and same species)
to survive generation of an
adequate response

INDIVIDUAL SPECIES
SURVIVAL SURVIVAL
 -Life functions = Vital functions
Getting information from the
Adults produce new individuals (very similar to
environment and reacting in the best themselves) to ensure that the species will
possible way to have better chances SURVIVE
to SURVIVE

Reproduction

Food gives us the energy and

matter we need to produce
Interaction our own structures and be
active and SURVIVE
Nutrition
 - Cells
If the organism is:
A. Unicellular: only one cell
B. Multicellular:
more than one cell.
Cells are coordinated
to “cowork”*
What about virus?
What about virus?

They are not living beings

 Unit 1
The organisation of the
Activities human body
 Unit 1
The organisation of the

2 The human cell human body

 Unit 1
The organisation of the

2 The human cell human body

▪ Nutrition
Cell´s vital functions ▪ Interaction
▪ Reproduction

It is characteristic of cells which feed on

Heterotrophic nutrition organic matter produced by other living
things. They transform this organic matter
to obtain nutrients and energy.
 Unit 1

2 The human cell The organisation of the

human body

Human cells are eukaryotic cells → basic structure

The plasma The cytoplasm The cell nucleus

membrane Organelles
 Unit 1

2 The human cell The organisation of the

human body
 Unit 1
The organisation of the

2 The human cell human body

- Thin layer that

▪ Membrane separates the cell from
the external
environment.
- Two functions:
. Transport in/out
. Interaction

- Substance that contains the

▪ Cytoplasm organelles
- The place where many
chemical reactions take place
 Unit 1
The organisation of the

2 The human cell human body

- It contains the genetic material (DNA)

▪ Nucleus - It controls the functions of the cell
- Structure:
- Nuclear envelope or nuclear membrane
- Chromatin
- Nucleolus The chromatin is formed by DNA molecules and
proteins. It forms very long fibres and it
condenses during cell division to form the
chromosomes.

The nucleus contains the

genetic material which has
the instructions to make
proteins. These proteins Chromosomes are formed by thousands of
control the cell’s activity and GENES. Each gene is a fragment of the DNA
its characteristics. molecule, and it contains the instructions to
make proteins.
2 The human cell
 Unidad 1
La organización del

2 The human cell cuerpo humano

▪ Nucleus, genes and chromosomes

Human cells have 46 chromosomes, excepting the gametes
(eggs /ova and sperm cells), which have 23.
Human cells: 46 (23 pairs) of chromosomes:
44 autosomes (22 pares)
2 sex chromosomes (1 pair: XX o XY)

Every person has 2 sets

of chromosomes:
23 chromosomes come
from the mother and
the other 23 from the
father.

A human karyotype
 Unidad 1
La organización del
cuerpo humano
 Unidad 1
La organización del

2 The human cell cuerpo humano

The functions of cell organelles and other structures

https://www.youtub
e.com/watch?v=URU
JD5NEXC8

Activity
In your notebook,
draw an eukaryotic
cell (animal cell)
and name all the
structures and their
function.
 Unidad 1
La organización del

2 The human cell •

•
Diffusion
Osmosis
cuerpo humano

EXCHANGE WITH THE ENVIRONMENT • Active transport

1.
• Phagocytosis

https://youtu.be/-EQb9J38IhU

2.
 Unidad 1
La organización del

2 The human cell cuerpo humano

3.

4.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwputi8wE7w
 Unidad 1
La organización del

2 The human cell cuerpo humano

 Unidad 1
La organización del

3 Cells differentiate and specialise

cuerpo humano

Cell variety
Cells are too small to be seen with the naked eye :
Size:
 Unidad 1
La organización del

3 Cells differentiate and specialise cuerpo humano

Cell variety and cell differentiation

Cellular differentiation is the process in which a cell changes from one cell type to another.
Usually, the cell changes to a more specialized type.
Differentiation occurs numerous times during the development of the embryo as it changes
from a simple zygote to a complex system of tissues and cell types.

Zygote = fertilised egg

Cells have different

shapes: round,
elongated… the
shape is related to
the function they
perform.
 Unidad 1
La organización del

3 Cells differentiate and specialise cuerpo humano

Cell variety and cell differentiation

All cells originate from a single initial cell, called zygote.
Zygote divides to from more cells.
The first cells resulting from the division of the zygote are all identical.
These cells are called stem cells: they can differentiate into various types of
cells.
They later become specialized to perform specific tasks.

Differentiation is a
process in which the
shape and structure of a
cell change in order to
enable it to perform a
specific function.
 Unidad 1
La organización del

3 Cells differentiate and specialise cuerpo humano

Cell variety and cell differentiation

As the embryo grows, the cells become more
and more specialised.
By the time of birth, most cells have already
differentiated and are only able to carry out one
function: muscle cells, nerve cells, blood cells,
etc.
So when the differentiated cells of and adult
divide, they can only produce the same type of
cells. For example, muscle cells create more
muscle cells.
 Unidad 1
La organización del

3 Cells differentiate and specialise cuerpo humano

Cell variety and cell differentiation

newt embryonic
development:
https://www.youtub
e.com/watch?v=SE
ejivHRIbE
 Unidad 1
La organización del

3 Cells differentiate and specialise cuerpo humano

Cell variety and cell differentiation

 Unidad 1
La organización del

3 Cells differentiate and specialise cuerpo humano

Cell variety and cell differentiation

 Unidad 1
La organización del

3 Cells differentiate and specialise cuerpo humano

Cell variety and cell differentiation

 Unidad 1
La organización del

3 Cells differentiate and specialise cuerpo humano

Cell variety and cell differentiation

 Unidad 1
La organización del

4 Tissues, organs and systems cuerpo humano

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La organización del

4 Tissues, organs and systems cuerpo humano

 Unidad 1
La organización del

4 Tissues, organs and systems cuerpo humano

 Unidad 1
La organización del

4 Tissues, organs and systems cuerpo humano

 Unidad 1
La organización del

4 Tissues, organs and systems cuerpo humano

 Unidad 1
La organización del

4 Tissues, organs and systems cuerpo humano

 Unidad 1
La organización del

4 Tissues, organs and systems cuerpo humano

 Unidad 1
La organización del

4 Tissues, organs and systems cuerpo humano

 Unidad 1
La organización del

4 Tissues, organs and systems cuerpo humano

 Unidad 1
La organización del
cuerpo humano

Activities
Make an outline about the types and subtypes
of tissues in the human body (structures and
functions).
 Unidad 1
La organización del
cuerpo humano
5 The systems of the human body
 Unidad 1
La organización del
cuerpo humano
5 The systems of the human body
 Unidad 1
La organización del
cuerpo humano
5 The systems of the human body
 Unidad 1
La organización del
cuerpo humano
5 The systems of the human body
 Unidad 1
La organización del
cuerpo humano

Activities
Make an outline about the systems of the
human body (write a short description of the
functions of each one )
 More about
human tissues
EPITHELIAL TISSUE

MUSCLE TISSUE

NERVE TISSUE

CONNECTIVE TISSUE
 EPITHELIAL TISSUE

Epithelial tissue or epithelium is composed of one

or more layers of cells, arranged next to each other
without any space between them.

This tissue covers the external surface of body,

forming the skin, and lines cavities and tracts such as
the stomach and the intestines.
 EPITHELIAL TISSUE
Cell of
epithelial • Image of epithelial tissue taken
tissue from an optical microscope.

Cell
nucleus •The epithelial cells are arranged in
many layers, which is why it is called
pluristratified epithelial tissue.

•The nucleus of the cell can be

seen well, as it has been stained a
dark purple colour.
 EPITHELIAL TISSUE

Cell of epithelial
tissue
Cell • Image of epithelial tissue taken
nucleus from an optical microscope.

• The epithelial cells are arranged in

two layers, but they are not aligned,
so it is called pseudostratified
epithelial tissue.

• The cells are prism-like in shape

and their nuclei have been stained
a dark blue colour.
EPITHELIAL TISSUE

MUSCLE TISSUE

NERVE TISSUE

CONNECTIVE TISSUE
 MUSCLE TISSUE

Muscle tissue is composed of elongated cells, the

muscle fibres. These fibres are contractile, which
means they contract in response to stimuli.

The muscle tissue forms the muscles of the locomotor

system (skeletal muscles), the heart (cardiac muscle
or myocardium) and the walls of some organs
(smooth muscle).
 MUSCLE TISSUE
Nuclei of the muscle
fibres • Image of muscle tissue taken
using an optical microscope.

• We can see a longitudinal

section of skeletal muscle tissue.

• The muscle fibres are elongated,

cylindrical and striated (arranged in
parallel).

• The nuclei of the muscle fibres

are elongated and found along the
sides of the fibres.

Muscle fibres
 MUSCLE TISSUE
Nuclei of muscle
fibres
• Image of muscle tissue taken
using an optical microscope.

• A cross section of skeletal

muscle tissue can be seen.
• The muscle fibres, cut
transversally, have a blocky
structure.
• The nuclei can be seen around
the sides of each fibre.

Muscle fibre
EPITHELIAL TISSUE

MUSCLE TISSUE

NERVE TISSUE

CONNECTIVE TISSUE
 NERVE TISSUE

Nerve tissue is made up of neurons, cells capable of

capturing and responding to stimuli, and of controlling the
activity of the organism.
 Neuron
NERVE TISSUE

• Image of nerve tissue taking using

an optical microscope.

• In the image, we can see two

Nucleus of
neurons.
the neuron

• The largest neuron has a

polygonal (or star) form and at the
nucleus is in the centre.
Prolongations

• The body of the neuron has

prolongations.
 NERVE TISSUE
Neuron

• Image of nerve tissue taken

under an optical microscope.

Nucleus of
• In the image, we can see two
the neuron neurons.

• The bodies of the neurons have

a polygonal form with the nuclei
Prolongations at the centre.

• The prolongations of these

neurons are very long.
EPITHELIAL TISSUE

MUSCLE TISSUE

NERVE TISSUE

CONNECTIVE TISSUE
 CONNECTIVE TISSUE
Connective tissue is composed of cells separated by an
intercellular substance called the matrix. Their function
in the body is to connect and support.

There are various types of connective tissue:

conjunctive tissue, cartilaginous tissue, adipose
tissue, bone tissue and blood tissue.
 CONNECTIVE TISSUE

CONJUNCTIVE CARTILAGINOUS ADIPOSE BONE BLOOD

 CONJUNCTIVE TISSUE

Conjunctive tissue is a type of connective tissue which

joins the other tissues together.
 CONJUNCTIVE TISSUE

Liver cells
• Image of conjunctive tissue
taken using an optical microscope

• The dark round points are the

liver cells.

• The lines are fibres, which form a

network that provides support to
the organ, in this case the liver.

Fibres
 CONNECTIVE TISSUE

CONJUNCTIVE CARTILAGINOUS ADIPOSE BONE BLOOD

 CARTILAGINOUS TISSUE

This is a type of connective tissue which

forms part of the skeleton and provides
support to the soft parts of the body.
 Matrix of the
CARTILAGINOUS TISSUE
cartilaginous tissue

• Image of cartilaginous tissue

from the trachea, taken using
an optical microscope.

• The light blue colour

(background) is to the
intercellular matrix which
surrounds the cells of the
cartilaginous tissue, which are
called chondrocytes.

• The chondrocytes have been

stained a dark blue colour.
Chondrocytes
 CONNECTIVE TISSUE

CONJUNCTIVE CARTILAGINOUS ADIPOSE BONE BLOOD

 ADIPOSE TISSUE

Adipose tissue is a type of connective tissue that makes

up the organism’s greatest energy reserve and provides
thermal insulation. It is found under the skin.
Adipose tissue ADIPOSE TISSUE
cell

Lipid droplet • Image of adipose tissue taking

using an optical microscope.

• This is an example of white

adipose tissue.

• The cells that form this tissue are

round in shape.

• The cells have a single lipid

droplet, which is so large that it
occupies almost the entire cell.
 ADIPOSE TISSUE
Adipose tissue
cell

• Image of adipose tissue taken

using an optical microscope.
Lipid droplets • This is an example of brown
adipose tissue, which is scarce in
human beings and typical in animals
that hibernate.
Cell nucleus • The cells that make up this tissue
are polygonal in shape.

• Unlike white adipose tissue, the

cells of this tissue contain many
lipid droplets.

• The nucleus is found on one

side of the cell.
 CONNECTIVE TISSUE

CONJUNCTIVE CARTILAGINOUS ADIPOSE BONE BLOOD

 BONE TISSUE

Bone tissue is a type of connective tissue

that provides support to the organism and
protects the vital organs.
 Osteon BONE TISSUE

• Image of bone tissue taken using

an optical microscope.

• In the centre of the image, two

structures called osteons can be
seen.

• The osteons are concentric

layers of bone tissues surrounding
a central channel (this canal
contains the bone's blood supplies
Central channel
of the osteon and nerves.).

• In the osteons, we can see black

spots, which are the spaces
Black spots
containing the bone cells.
 CONNECTIVE TISSUE

CONJUNCTIVE CARTILAGINOUS ADIPOSE BONE BLOOD

 BLOOD TISSUE

In this type of connective tissue the liquid

matrix is called plasma.
Suspended in the plasma are the blood
cells (the red blood cells, white blood
cells and platelets).
 BLOOD TISSUE
Blood plasma
• Photograph of a sample of
human blood taken using an
optical microscope.
White blood cells • The liquid matrix, in this case
the plasma, surroundins the cells.

• The majority of blood tissue is

made up of red blood cells.

• In the image, we can also see

white blood cells, which have
been stained purple.

Red blood cells

Red blood BLOOD TISSUE
cell

• Previous image seen in greater

magnification.
White blood cell
• When the image is enlarged, we
can the cells of this tissue in more
detail:
Nucleus
- The red blood cells are
disclike in shape and do not
have nuclei.
- The nuclei of the white blood
cells are brightly coloured
purple. This nucleus has a very
strange shape with small lobes
attached to each other.
BLOOD TISSUE

• Platelets are also called also

called thrombocytes.

• Platelets are a component of

blood whose function is to react to
bleeding from blood vessel injury
by clumping.
 CONNECTIVE TISSUE

CONJUNCTIVE CARTILAGINOUS ADIPOSE BONE BLOOD

EPITHELIAL TISSUE

MUSCLE TISSUE

NERVE TISSUE

CONNECTIVE TISSUE