Science · Life Science
Human Body Systems
Reading comprehension passage and printable worksheet about the major systems of the human body and how they work together — for grades 4–7.
Subject
Science
Grade Level
Grades 3–8
Resource Type
Lesson Plan
Format
Lesson + PDF
Reading Passage
Human Body Systems
The human body is made up of many different organ systems that work together to keep you alive and healthy. Each system has a specific job, but no system works alone — they all interact and depend on each other. Learning about the body’s systems helps us understand how the body functions and what happens when something goes wrong.
The skeletal system is the framework of the body. It is made up of 206 bones that support the body’s shape, protect vital organs, and allow movement. Bones also store minerals like calcium and phosphorus, and the soft tissue inside bones called marrow produces red and white blood cells. Working with the skeletal system, the muscular system provides the force needed to move bones and keep the body upright.
The circulatory system transports blood, nutrients, oxygen, and waste products throughout the body. The heart pumps blood through a network of blood vessels — arteries carry blood away from the heart, and veins bring it back. The respiratory system works closely with the circulatory system — lungs take in oxygen from the air and release carbon dioxide, and the circulatory system delivers that oxygen to every cell in the body.
The digestive system breaks down the food we eat into nutrients that the body can absorb and use for energy and growth. Food travels from the mouth through the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. The liver and pancreas produce chemicals that help break down food. The excretory system removes waste products from the body through the kidneys, lungs, skin, and large intestine.
The nervous system is the body’s communication network. The brain and spinal cord form the central nervous system, which receives information from the body, processes it, and sends instructions back out. The senses — sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch — gather information from the environment and send it to the brain. The endocrine system releases hormones that regulate growth, metabolism, mood, and many other body functions. All of these systems work in harmony to keep the human body functioning.
Printable Worksheet
Printable PDF · 4 pages
Human Body Systems Reading Comprehension Worksheet
Printable worksheet includes the reading passage and comprehension questions about the skeletal, muscular, circulatory, digestive, and nervous systems of the human body. Includes answer key.
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