Jigsaw: Concept Maps of the Systems of the Body

PROCEDURE:

You will be working in a jigsaw group of 5 members. Each member is

an “expert” in one of the systems described below. (Obviously, there
are more systems of the body than the 5). Your task is to create a
mind map/web that answers all the questions listed below in a
meaningful and logical way. Consult the rubric that is provided when
constructing your mind maps. After completion, your maps will then
be evaluated by 3 groups: 1) your fellow “experts”; 2) your jigsaw
group; and 3) your teacher.

1. The Digestive System

• List organs of the system and describe their functions, e.g.
describe the travels of a piece of food as it travels through the
system. (with diagram)
• Compare mechanical digestion and chemical digestion.
• Describe the importance of the gall bladder, the liver and the
pancreas in digestion.
• Vocab to use: salivary glands, esophagus, stomach, small
intestine, rectum, gastric juices, hydrochloric acid, mucous,
bile, chyme, bolus, peristalsis
• Other interesting facts on this system of the body

2. Respiratory System
• Identify the organs and functions involved in the system (with
diagram)
• Explain the role of the ribs and diaphragm in the breathing
process.
• Explain how breathing rate is controlled.
• Describe what happens between the alveoli and the
capillaries.
• Vocab to use: alveoli, gas exchange, trachea, bronchi,
bronchiole, lung, respiration, inhalation, exhalation,
diaphragm, diffusion.
• Other interesting facts on this system of the body

3. Circulatory System
• List the functions of the circulatory system.
• Trace the path of blood
• Label parts of the heart (with diagram)
• Compare blood on the right side and the left side of the heart.
• Describe the components of blood (rbc, wbc, platelets,
plasma)
• How is blood produced in the body?
 • Vocab to use: aorta, artery, capillary, vein, vena cava, atrium,
valve, ventricle, deoxygenated blood, oxygenated blood
• Other interesting facts on this system of the body

4. Excretory System
• Define excretion.
• Describe the function of the skin, kidneys, liver, ureters,
bladder, and urethra in the excretory process – i.e. what
happens to waste (like protein) as it travels through the
system and is excreted.
• Describe the structure and function of the kidney and its parts
(with diagram)
• Explain how the nephron functions.
• Vocab to use: kidney, nephron, filtration, ureter, urethra,
urine, bladder, renal artery, renal vein, wastes, sweat glands.
• Other interesting facts on this system of the body

5. Nervous System
• Describe the basic structure and function of the system.
• Describe the structure of a neuron and explain how it
operates (diagram).
• List the parts and discuss the function of the Central Nervous
System (CNS). Discuss the structure and control centres of
the brain.
• Explain how a nerve impulse travels (diagram)
• Explain what occurs during the reflex arc.
• Vocab to use: central nervous sytem (CNS), neuron, dendrite,
cell body, axon, sensory nerve, motor nerve, stimulus, reflex,
brain, spinal cord.
• Other interesting facts on this system of the body