PARTS AND

FUNCTIONS
OF ANIMALS
INTRODUCTION
Animals are multicellular, heterotrophic
eukaryotes that lack cell walls. Animals eat
other living organisms, ingest them, and use
enzymes to break down the foodstuffs for use
in their bodies. During the last billion years of
evolution, animals probably originated from a
group of protists called choanoflagellates. An
individual choanoflagellate (protist) is
indistinguishable from a collar cell in a sponge.
 In this chapter, we will
discuss the parts and functions
of animals with special
reference to the human body.
Organ systems are composed
of organs, which in turn are
composed of tissues and
specialized cells.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this chapters, the
learners should be able to
1. Describe the nature and
characteristics of animals;
2. Distinguish some animal tissues;
3. Discuss the major organ systems
ANIMAL SPECIALIZED TISSUE

• There are 4 basic types of tissue:

1. Epithelial Tissue
2. Connective Tissue
3. Nervous Tissue
4. Muscle Tissue
 1. Epithelial Tissue - is a
body tissue that forms the
covering on all internal and
external surfaces of your body,
lines body cavities and hollow
organs and is the major tissue
in glands.
• It is a primitive type of tissue and derived from all
the three germinal layers from ectoderm, mesoderm,
and endoderm.
Ectoderm - is the outermost layer of cells or tissue of
an embryo in early development or the parts derived
from this, which include the epidermis and nerve
tissue.
Mesoderm - the middle layer of an embryo in early
development, between the ectoderm and endoderm.
Endoderm - the innermost layer of cells or tissue of
an embryo in early development, or the parts derived
from this, which include the lining of the gut and
associated structures.
THE 4 MAJOR CLASSES OF SIMPLE EPITHELIUM
SIMPLE CUBOIDAL
• Which is composed of a single layer of cube like cells.
SIMPLE SQUAMOUS
• Which is made up of single thin layer of flattened cells
with irregular boundaries.
SIMPLE COLUMNAR
• Which is composed of a single layer of tall pillar like
cells. Nuclei are located at the base.
STRATIFIED SQUAMOUS
• which topmost layer is made up of squamous
(flattened and scale-like) epithelial cells.
2. CONNECTIVE
TISSUE – mainly
binds and supports
other tissues.
• There are three types of connective tissue fibre all made up of
protein:
1. Collagenous fibers - provide strength and flexibility
2. Elastic fibers - stretch and snap back to their original length
3. Reticular fibers - join connective tissue to adjacent tissues
• Connective tissue contains cells, including
- Fibroblasts – that secrete the protein (e.g. collagen) of extracellular
fibers.
- Osteoblasts – that secrete a matrix that becomes mineralised to form
bone.
- Macrophages – that are involved in the immune system, engulfing
foreign particles and cell debris.
• In vertebrates, the fibers and foundation combine to
form six major types of connective tissue:
1. Loose connective tissue – binds epithelial to
underlying tissues and holds organs in place.
2. Cartilage – is a strong and flexible support material.
3. Fibrous connective tissue – is found in tendons,
which attach muscles to bones, and ligaments, which
connect bones at joints.
4. Adipose tissue – stores fat for insulation and fuel.
5. Blood – is composed of blood cells and cell fragments
in blood plasma.
6. Bone – is miniralised and forms the skeleton.
3. MUSCLE TISSUE –
consists of long cells
called muscle fibers,
which contract in response
to nerve signals.
• It is divided in the vertebrate body
into three types:
- Skeletal Muscle – or striated, is
responsible for voluntary movement.
- Smooth Muscle – is responsible for
involuntary body activities.
- Cardiac Muscle – is responsible for
contraction of the heart.
4. NERVOUS TISSUE – senses
stimuli and transmits signals
throughout the animal.
• Nervous Tissue contains:
- Neurons or nerve cells, that
transmit nerve impulses.
- Glial cells or Glia that help
nourish, insulate, and replenish
neurons.
MAJOR ORGAN
SYSTEMS OF
ANIMALS AND
THEIR FUNCTIONS
INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM – distinguishes, separates,
protects and informs the animals with regard to its
surroundings.
CIRCULATORY SYSTEM – supply oxygen which are
networks of arteries, veins and capillaries that carry oxygen
containing blood cell in each oxygen.
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM – to help the absorb oxygen from
the air so the organs can work.
NERVOUS SYSTEM – which them to send, receive and
process nerve and sensory impulses as well as to move their
muscles.
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM – this system moves the food through
animals body and absorbs the products of digestion.
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM – encompasses a group of tissues
that release hormones into circulation.
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM – made up of anatomical
organs which also allow animals to reproduce their species.
MUSCULAR SYSTEM – consist of muscle tissues that allow
them to both move and control their movements.
SKELETAL SYSTEM – provide structure and protection for a
variety of organisms.
EXCRETORY SYSTEM – also called the urinary system. It is
composed of the kidney, in which urine is produced, ureters,
urinary bladder, and the urethra.