Human Systems

Welcome to the companion Web site to "Life's Greatest Miracle," originally broadcast on November 20, 2001. A sequel to the most popular NOVA of all time, "Miracle of Life," the program once again uses the extraordinary microimagery of Swedish photographer Lennart Nilsson to track human development from embryo to newborn. Here's what you'll find online: Watch the Program If you missed the television broadcast of the Emmy award-winning program "Life's Greatest Miracle," you can watch it in its entirety here. Note: This program is rated TV-14,S. Viewer discretion is advised. (Available in QuickTime or RealVideo) Great Expectations: A Woman's Journal In this daily journal, follow along as a mother-to-be describes the joys and hopes, the trials and tribulations, of undergoing pregnancy and giving birth. Windows on the Womb Doctors today have myriad techniques for tracking the growth and health of a baby throughout pregnancy. Here, explore a bevy of currently available diagnostic and screening techniques, which are changing the nature of both pregnancy and parenthood. The Stem-Cell Debate In this essay drawn from his new book, Dartmouth ethicist Ronald Green, a one-time member of the National Institutes of Health's Human Embryo Research Panel, brings clarity, balance, and insight to the controversial issue of using human stem cells in biomedical research. How Cells Divide (Hot Science) Most of the time, when a cell in our bodies divides, each new cell carries a complete set of chromosomes. The cells involved with reproduction, however, carry only half after division occurs. In this step-by-step explanation, learn about mitosis and meiosis, the two types of cell division. How Is Sex Determined? (Hot Science) The sex of an egg cell is set as soon as it is fertilized, but what happens to that cell and the cells it divides into to make a baby boy or girl? Find out here.

Great overview. Includes important terms with descriptions of each stage of digestion.

Provides detailed information on the process of excretion and diseases of the excretory system.

Describes the importance of digestion and the process of digestion.

Explains what occurs in the digestive system, how it works and why it is important.

Very good website for a detailed overview of the digestive system. Very specific and has many good pictures.

This video is a old cartoon explaining the digestive system. Really nice overview.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4e6qf8r8Tk&feature=related (part 2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QY5q4GJOOgg&feature=related (part 3)

Gas Exchange

This web page has a diagram of the endocrine system as well as a chart showing each galnd and what hormones it secretes. Ends with some facts.

This game offers questions on both the digestive and endocrine system.

This website has a really good overview on how exactly the kidney works in the Excretory System. It gives you videos on what the kidney looks like as well.

3D Interactive Human Anatomy Watch one of the tutorial on how to use the program and then try the demo. Really cool!

Provides virtual access to anatomy, microscope slides and dissection materials.

Alternate for earthworm dissection

This is a helpful website that gives a clearcut explanation of how vaccines produce immunity.

This website basically summarizes the entire endocrine system. It includes the major endocrine glands and the main hormones produced. I especially like the diagram, because it helps me picture where the glands are located. This site makes the information on the endocrine system easier to understand,and I thought it was very helpful!

This website describes what the endocrine system is, contains details on each of the glands that make up the system (hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid, parathyroids, adrenal glands, pineal body, and reproductive glands), and problems that can affect the endocrine. The website thoroughly explains the function of each gland, and is easy to understand.