Body Functions
Body functions are the physiological or psychological functions of body systems. The body's
functions are ultimately its cells' functions. Survival is the body's most important business.
Survival depends on the body's maintaining or restoring homeostasis, a state of relative
constancy, of its internal environment.
More than a century ago, French physiologist Claude Bernard (1813-1878) observed that
body cells stayed healthy only when the temperature, pressure, and chemical composition
of their environment remained constant. Later, American physiologist Walter B. Cannon
(1871-1945) named this condition homeostasis, meaning “standing or staying the same.”
However, Cannon emphasized that homeostasis is not something fixed but “a condition that
may vary, but which is relatively constant.”
Homeostasis depends on the body's ceaselessly carrying on many activities. Its major
activities or functions are responding to changes in the body's environment, exchanging
materials between the environment and cells, metabolizing foods, and integrating all of the
body's diverse activities.
The body's ability to perform many of its functions changes gradually over the years. In
general, the body performs its functions least well at both ends of life - in infancy and in old
age. During childhood, body functions gradually become more and more efficient and
effective. During late maturity and old age the opposite is true. They gradually become less
and less efficient and effective. During young adulthood, they normally operate with
maximum efficiency and effectiveness.
Life Process
All living organisms have certain characteristics that distinguish them from non-living
forms. The basic processes of life include organization, metabolism, responsiveness,
movements, and reproduction. In humans, who represent the most complex form of life,
there are additional requirements such as respiration. All of these processes are
interrelated. No part of the body, from the smallest cell to a complete body system, works in
isolation. All function together, in fine-tuned balance, for the well being of the individual and
to maintain life. Disease such as cancer and death represent a disruption of the balance in
these processes.
Organization
At all levels of the organizational scheme, there is a division of labor. Each component has
its own job to perform in cooperation with others. Even a single cell, if it loses its integrity
or organization, will die.
Metabolism
Metabolism is a broad term that includes all the chemical reactions that occur in the body.
One phase of metabolism is catabolism in which complex substances are broken down into
simpler building blocks and energy is released.
Responsiveness
Responsiveness or irritability is concerned with detecting changes in the internal or
external environments and reacting to that change. It is the act of sensing a stimulus and
responding to it.
Movement
There are many types of movement within the body. On the cellular level, molecules move
from one place to another. Blood moves from one part of the body to another. The
diaphragm moves with every breath. The ability of muscle fibers to shorten and thus to
produce movement is called contractility.
Reproduction
For most people, reproduction refers to the formation of a new person, the birth of a baby.
In this way, life is transmitted from one generation to the next through reproduction of the
organism. In a broader sense, reproduction also refers to the formation of new cells for the
replacement and repair of old cells as well as for growth. This is cellular reproduction. Both
are essential to the survival of the human race.
Body Functions - Reading Comprehension Test
I. Multiple Choice Questions
1. What is the most important business of the body?
A. Growth
B. Reproduction
C. Survival
D. Metabolism
2. Who first suggested the term homeostasis?
A. Claude Bernard
B. Walter B. Cannon
C. Charles Darwin
D. Sigmund Freud
3. According to the passage, when does the body perform its functions most efficiently?
A. Infancy
B. Childhood
C. Young adulthood
D. Old age
4. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a major life process?
A. Metabolism
B. Movement
C. Digestion
D. Responsiveness
5. What happens when a single cell loses its organization?
A. It reproduces
B. It dies
C. It grows faster
D. It moves
II. Fill in the Blanks
1. Survival depends on the body's maintaining or restoring __________.
2. The term homeostasis comes from Greek words meaning “__________ or staying the same.”
3. The ability of muscle fibers to shorten and produce movement is called __________.
4. One phase of metabolism is __________, in which complex substances are broken down into
simpler ones.
5. Disease and death represent a disruption of the __________ in life processes.
III. True / False / Not Given
1. Claude Bernard created the word homeostasis.
2. Homeostasis is an absolutely fixed and unchanging state.
3. The passage mentions that exercise increases the body’s ability to maintain homeostasis.
4. All body parts function together in balance to maintain life.
5. Respiration only involves the movement of air in and out of the lungs.