There are numerous living organisms on this planet from bacteria, viruses, plants, fungi, insects, aquatic organisms through to every land living and amphibious creature here on earth, not forgetting avian life forms also.
All forms of life are categorized into different orders and groups, all scientifically named. An example of one group is primates, which are the highest order of mammals. There are divisions and sub-divisions of different classes or species.
Each form of life has its own unique system and way of functioning that enables it to exist to the best of its ability. This is where evolution plays its part in ensuring that each species has optimum chances of survival in its surrounding territory.
Single cell forms of life – protozoa, which include amoebas are described as – a unicellular micro organism found in water, damp soil and the digestive tracts of animals. There are also aerobic and non-aerobic forms of life. These are very basic life forms.
Many life forms share similar functions and processes, one example of this is the order of mammals. A mammal is described as any member of a class of warm blooded vertebrates that suckle their young with milk. Primates are the highest order of mammals, of which man belongs to.
Mammals are made up of many complex systems that work together in unison. They all have a brain, skeleton, nervous system, digestive system, reproductive system respiratory system, and circulatory system. Skin, teeth, hair, organs (glandular and non glandular) also make up the vast majority of mammals. In addition mammals have sensory abilities, these are sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste. They also have the ability to rid the body of waste products via the digestive system, the respiratory system and through the skin – the largest organ of the body.
The brain controls the whole body and forms part of the nervous sysyem. It regulates other organs of the body and controls the secretion of chemicals called hormones. This organ maintains the body’s status quo by enabling rapid responses to stimuli in and outside of the body. The brain can be described as a biological computer in that it assimilates information from its surrounding world and is able to process, store and act upon this information.
The skeleton is what enables man to walk and provides protection for various organs of the body. The skull encases and protects the brain, the rib-cage encases and protects the lungs.
All these functions and processes interact with each other sustaining life. When everything is in working order, we as the highest order of primates are a truly wonderful product of nature, but as so often happens when something goes wrong with a body it can sometimes be very difficult to return the body to good health. Man has come along way medically in its understanding of many of the functions and processes of not just human beings, but of all forms of life but has yet to improve on nature itself.
