human anatomy

"People need to breathe to stay alive. This title explores how the lungs pull in air in order to send oxygen into the circulatory system"--Provided by publisher.

"A central control system keeps every part of the body running. This title explores key parts of this control system, such as the brain and spinal cord, and how they help the body function"--Provided by publisher.

"The body needs muscles in order to move. This title explores the different kinds of muscles and how they work"--Provided by publisher.

"The body needs to defend itself from invaders such as viruses and bacteria. This title explores how cells in the body identify and attack these invaders to keep the body healthy"--Provided by publisher.

"The body needs nutrients to survive. This title explores how organs and other parts of the body break down food into nutrients the body can use"--Provided by publisher.

"The body needs oxygen to survive. This title explores how the heart and blood vessels carry oxygen through the body"--Provided by publisher.

We can't see bacteria, but it is everywhere - in the air, in the ground, on our hands, even in our bodies. These microscopic single-celled organisms have inhabited earth far longer than humankind and live in almost all the habitats the planet provides. The study of bacteria provides fascinating insight into early history and has an endless depth of knowledge to be discovered.

Viruses are behind many types of illness, from mild colds to severe diseases like acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Even COVID-19 itself is mild for some and severe for others. Viruses have been found all over the Earth. Researchers estimate that they are ten times more common than bacteria. These tiny germs, that are not even a cell themselves, invade other organisms and are an unavoidable part of our lives.

It is easy to be grossed out by fungi or worry about its impact on our health. While both are valid concerns, fungi and mold are actually important to our everyday lives. Like bacteria, fungi exist almost everywhere on the planet. They are hardy organisms the thrive in places you might not expect. Also like bacteria, they are essential in the breakdown of dead and decaying matter. One important group of fungi that does this is known as saprophytes. These fungi use decaying matter for nourishment, and without them breaking down organic matter throughout the environment, life on Earth would be quite different. Without fungi, the world we know could not exist.

Text and illustrations present fifty things the reader should know about the human body.