Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Characteristics of Human Life

(from Ibid. - See last post)

CHARACTERISTIC     DESCRIPTION

Responsiveness - Ability of an organism to sense, monitor, and respond to changes in both its external and internal environments.

Conductivity - Capacity of living cells to transmit a wave of excitation from one point to another within the body.

Growth - Organized increase in the size and number of cells and therefore an increase in size of the individual or a particular organ or part.

Respiration - Exchange of respiratory gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) between an organism and its environment.

Digestion - Process by which complex food products are broken down into simpler substances that can be absorbed and used by individual body cells.

Absorption - Movement of molecules, such as respiratory gases or digested nutrients through a membrane and into the body fluids for transport to cells for use.

Secretion - Production and release of important substances, such as digestive juices and hormones, for diverse body functions.

Excretion - Excretion refers to the removal of waste products.

Circulation - Movement of body fluids containing many substances from one body area to another in a continuous, circular route through hollow vessels.

Reproduction - Formation of new individual offspring.

No comments:

Post a Comment