Choose an organism and compare it's body systems to the human's body systems.

Answer 1

Organism: Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

1. Digestive System:
- Like humans, dogs have a complex digestive system that includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine.
- Both humans and dogs have specialized organs, such as the liver and pancreas, that produce enzymes to aid in digestion.
- However, dogs have a shorter digestive tract compared to humans, resulting in a faster digestion process. Dogs also have a specialized enzyme called amylase, which allows them to digest starches more efficiently than humans.

2. Respiratory System:
- Dogs have a respiratory system similar to humans, involving lungs, trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles.
- The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs through alveoli, just like in humans.
- However, dogs have a higher respiratory rate compared to humans, typically ranging from 10 to 30 breaths per minute. They also have a slightly larger lung volume relative to their body size.

3. Circulatory System:
- Both humans and dogs possess a closed circulatory system consisting of a heart, blood vessels, and blood.
- The heart structure and function are quite similar, having four chambers that pump oxygenated blood to tissues and deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation.
- However, dogs have a higher resting heart rate compared to humans. Their average heart rate can range from 60 to 140 beats per minute, depending on factors such as age, size, and activity level.

4. Musculoskeletal System:
- Just like humans, dogs have a musculoskeletal system comprised of bones, joints, muscles, and tendons.
- Both species have similar bone structures, including a skull, spine, ribs, and limb bones, allowing for movement and support.
- However, dogs generally have a more flexible spine, allowing them to move their bodies with more agility and speed than humans. Dogs also have more developed shoulder and hip joints for enhanced mobility.

5. Nervous System:
- Dogs possess a nervous system similar to humans, with a brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
- Both species have a central nervous system (CNS) and a peripheral nervous system (PNS).
- However, dogs have a more developed sense of smell and hearing compared to humans, partly due to the larger size of their olfactory bulb and more sensitive cochlea.

6. Reproductive System:
- Both humans and dogs have a reproductive system involved in sexual reproduction and passing genetic information to the next generation.
- Dogs have similar reproductive organs to humans, such as testes and ovaries producing sperm and eggs, respectively.
- However, dogs have a different reproductive cycle, typically mate seasonally, and can have litters of puppies instead of a single offspring as humans do.

Note: While comparing certain body systems, it's important to keep in mind that humans and dogs have distinct physiological differences due to their evolutionary adaptations and ecological needs.