How Much Do You Know About Your Organs?

SCIENCE

By: Lauren Lubas

6 Min Quiz

Image: Unsplash by v2osk

About This Quiz

Your body functions like a machine, and the most important moving parts of that machine are your organs. There are five vital organs in your body, and they are essential for survival. Those organs are your brain, heart, kidneys, liver and lungs. However, there are 78 total organs in the human body that help it function like a well-oiled machine. These include your skin, spleen, gallbladder, pancreas and more. Each of your 78 organs has a different function to help keep you walking, talking and updating your Facebook status. While there are some organs that don't necessarily do much for people these days (thanks, evolution), others are pretty much the only reason that you're alive. Do you think you know the difference between each of these organs and what they do for you?

We've put together 40 questions about the human body's organs, how they function, and their purpose for being inside of you. If you think you know a thing or two about the human body, you probably know the basics of the body's organs. However, even the best of the best can only get 30 of these questions correct. Do you think you can beat them? Take this tough organ quiz to find out.

What does the nervous system do?

The nervous system is made up of your brain, spinal cords and nerves. Its main purpose is to help your body communicate with the brain and give you the ability to take on certain tasks.

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The male body and female body have a lot of differences. Which organ system has the most difference between the two genders?

While each of these systems can vary between males and females, the reproductive system stands out among the rest. The systems are basically opposites in every way, but bringing them together creates life.

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Can you name the organ that belongs to your circulatory system?

Your circulatory system consists of all of the parts of your body that transport blood. The heart pumps blood to the rest of your body. The brain is considered a part of the nervous system, and the stomach and small intestine are both parts of the digestive system.

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Can you name the organ in this list that is not considered a vital organ?

While your skin is important to you (it basically saves the rest of your body from the elements), it is not considered a vital organ, as you can lose large pieces of it and still have proper body function.

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Why is it so difficult to study the heart in motion?

Not only is it impossible to see through heart vessels, but the blood inside of them is opaque, which makes it extra difficult to see the heart in motion. This makes it hard to study the heart to get a greater understanding of how it works.

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The gall bladder is important for what function?

In case you were wondering, bile is the fluid that helps break down fatty foods in your small intestine. It has a yellowish-green color, and it's pretty gross, but it's a great way to ensure your digestive system is running properly.

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The epidermis, dermis and hypodermis are all parts of which organ?

Anyone who has ever been to a Dermatologist knows that there are three layers to your skin (which is actually known as the integumentary system). Each of these levels has a different function to protect your other organs from harm.

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Do you know the definition of "organ"?

While organs are made up of a lot of cells, each of these cells has a specific function that is different from other cells in the body. They also reproduce at different rates, making each organ uniquely delicate.

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What is the best way to describe the lungs?

The lungs are spongy. You can remember this by considering the fact that they absorb oxygen, and when they expel carbon dioxide, they constrict (kind of like a sponge getting wrung out).

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Your lungs take in one gas and expel a different gas. What are these two gasses?

Your lungs take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide (it's pretty much the opposite of trees). Though few of us pay attention to our breathing until we can't, this is something that happens naturally and doesn't normally take conscious behavior.

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Can you find the one body part that ISN'T a part of your heart?

Lipase is a substance created by the pancreas. The other answers to this question are all parts of the very intricate organ that is known as your heart. Every part of the heart works to send blood to various parts of your body.

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What makes your lungs expand?

Alveolus sacks are little sacks in your lungs that collect air when you breathe in. This oxygen is transported to your bloodstream through hemoglobin and then circulates through your bloodstream by the heart.

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What does the heart use to pump blood?

Your heart has two atriums (left and right) and two ventricles (left and right). These chambers receive and pump blood through the body in order to carry oxygen to areas that are far from the lungs.

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Can you name the organ that stores urine and expels it?

Anyone who has ever had to pee really, really bad knows that your bladder can only hold so much. On average, it can hold around 2 cups in the day time and twice that at night, which is a lot when you really think about it.

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This system is made up mostly of internal glands. What is it called?

The endocrine system helps release hormones into the circulatory system. The most well-known glands in this system include the thyroid and adrenal glands, which have effects on every part of your body.

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Which of these is NOT a function of the kidneys?

Remember that your gall bladder stores bile. Your kidneys are meant to filter the blood (taking out metabolic wastes) and transfer what is left over (urine) to your bladder. Kidney health is incredibly important.

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Do you know which of these is NOT considered an organ in the female reproductive system?

A woman's eggs are actually stored in the ovaries. They then pass through the Fallopian tubes. Though they are essential elements to the female reproductive system, they are not considered organs.

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How does the nervous system send messages?

Chemicals and electricity are sent through the body by a complex system made up of neurons, axons, synapses, glia and more.

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Which of these is NOT an organ system?

Though much of your anxiety comes from an overworked or misfiring nervous system, there is no such thing as your anxious system. Other organ systems in your body include the reproductive system and the immune system.

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What is the purpose of your liver?

While the liver has many functions, one of its main functions is to filter your blood. This is why your liver is so affected when you drink alcohol. Your blood-alcohol level can completely change the way your liver functions.

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The brain is a vital organ. What is the biggest part of the brain?

The largest part of your brain is the cerebrum. It has two hemispheres that help you control much of your body, including speech, voluntary movement and sensory processing. It also helps you store memory.

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Do you know the name of the organ that comes after the esophagus and before the small intestine in the digestive system?

Your stomach does a lot for you, but the lining can become weak over time, so it's important to make sure you eat healthily and focus on gut and digestive health to ensure that your stomach stays strong and healthy.

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Where would you find your pancreas?

The location of the pancreas is behind the stomach. It is an important part of your digestive system as it regulates blood sugar and creates enzymes to help you digest your food properly.

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Do you know which of these is NOT made by the pancreas?

Managase is not a real thing. However, the pancreas creates lipase, which breaks down fat; protease, which splits up proteins; and amylase, which divides carbs and creates sugars. This gives your body nutrients it needs to function.

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What is the heaviest organ in your body?

Remember that the skin (which is the largest organ you have) is outside of your body. However, the largest internal organ is your liver. It never stops functioning, and it takes care of a lot of things for you, including storing vitamins and filtering your blood.

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How does your large intestine help you digest food?

The large intestine is actually shorter than the small intestine, but it is wider. This intestine extracts water from food that isn't easy to digest, then it helps your body get rid of it completely.

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This organ can stretch well beyond its normal size. What is it called?

The uterus is where a fetus grows and develops before birth. It can grow roughly to the size of a watermelon, but it generally is around the size of an apple when it begins. It's the body's balloon, and it serves a major purpose in the reproductive system.

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Which of these carries dirty blood into the kidneys?

Your kidneys do quite a bit of work in a day, so take it easy on them. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids and eat fruits like cranberries to help keep your kidneys strong and functioning properly.

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Where would you find your appendix (if it hasn't been removed)?

The appendix isn't a necessary organ anymore, and most scientists can't even figure out what it there for. One theory suggests it was meant to store good bacteria that helped your digestive system after an illness.

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What is the longest part of the human digestive system?

Contrary to popular belief, the small and large intestines aren't long enough to wrap around the world several times. As a matter of fact, the large intestine is only about 5 feet, whereas the small intestine is approximately 20 feet long.

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About how much of your brain is made up of water?

That's right, much like the Earth, your brain is mostly made up of water. This is why it's so important to stay hydrated. You can actually lose cognitive function and memory if your hydration levels drop by 2%.

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You may already know that the brain is a part of the nervous system, but do you know how many nerve cells are in the brain?

If you can believe it, the human brain is made up of approximately 100 billion nerve cells that fire rapidly to help us function throughout the day. These cells cover everything from unconscious acts like breathing to interpreting written words.

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Can you name the organ system that includes the eye?

Yes, the eye is an organ, and it is considered a part of the nervous system. Remember that the nervous system is how your brain communicates with the rest of your body, and your sight is a major part of that communication.

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Which organ can humans live without?

The spleen does have a purpose for humans. It filters your blood and is a great tool for maintaining your immune system. However, the organ is not considered a vital one and can be removed if it is ruptured or infected.

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About how much does the human brain weigh?

Three pounds is the average weight of an adult human's brain, while a newborn's brain only weighs three-quarters of a pound.

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Can you name the organ system that helps us have bowel movements?

No one likes to talk about it, but it is one of the most important systems of our body. After we digest our food and all of the nutrients are extracted, we need to expel all of the bad stuff from our body, and that is what you leave in the toilet.

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How are hollow organs classified?

Organs such as the stomach, intestine and heart all have tubes or pouches that help them conduct the work that they were meant for. They fill and extract various substances with the help of muscles.

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About how much blood do the kidneys filter through every day?

No, there isn't 50 gallons of blood in your body, but this is a clear example of just how frequently your blood flows to each of your body parts and how fast it moves. The kidneys can go through up to 50 gallons and take out around a half a gallon of waste.

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Where is the heart located?

Your heart is in the middle of your chest. Your sternum is one of your strongest bones and it protects your heart from outside forces. This is a great defense mechanism to keep your body safe. Thanks skeletal system!

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Do you know how much blood the circulatory system pumps to the brain?

Of all the blood pumped through your system in a given day, your brain receives 20% of it. That's because your brain requires regeneration quickly and efficiently in order to talk to the rest of your body.

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