The study of the structure of living things is called
anatomy. All animals are made up of CELLS, some of which are
specialized to carry out different functions. Simple animals, such as sponges,
are made up of only a few types of cell. In more complex animals, cells are
organized into tissues, such as muscles and nerves that are necessary for
movement. Tissues can form organs, such as the heart, which is used to pump
blood around the CIRCULATORY SYSTEM.
Most animals are bilaterally symmetrical. If a
penguin were cut in half from head to toe, the two halves would be mirror
images of each other. Other animals, such as sea anemones, are radially
symmetrical. They have no head or tail and can be cut into identical halves
along many lines. Of the two types, animals that are bilaterally symmetrical
tend to move more quickly and precisely.
Like all fish, sharks have a backbone, breathe through gills,
manoeuvre using fins, and are ectothermic (cold-blooded). A shark’s
anatomy also bears the hallmarks of a predatory fish. They have a streamlined,
torpedo-shaped body that allows them to cut easily through water to chase prey.
They also have powerful jaws and sharp teeth.
Like all arthropods, lobsters have a hard outer casing, called an
exoskeleton, made up of plates formed from a substance called chitin. The
plates meet at flexible points, such as the leg joints. This exoskeleton
provides anchorage for muscles and protection from predators. It also provides
support for movement on land and prevents excess water loss.
Animal cells are typically just 0.02 mm (1/1,250 in)
across. Although they can be extremely varied, they share common features.
Cells are surrounded by a skin called a membrane and contain a jelly-like fluid
called cytoplasm. All the processes needed for life, such as producing energy
from food, removing waste, and growth take place inside cells.
Inside an animal cell, the cytoplasm contains structures called
organelles that have a variety of functions, from storing vital substances to
destroying bacteria. The most important organelle is called the nucleus, which
carries genetic information, controlling how the cell behaves. Another
organelle, the mitochondrion, produces energy from food.
The circulatory system carries blood around an
animal’s body, providing nourishment and oxygen to cells. In some
animals it is open, in others it is closed. In an open system, blood flows
freely around the body. In a closed system, blood is confined to a network of
vessels. The circulatory system also helps distribute heat around the body.
