UPCAT Biology — Body SystemsCheat Sheet
Body Systems cheat sheet — the reference card you wish you had on exam day. Condensed from the full study notes, this is the high-yield core of Body Systems for UPCAT Biology. Download, print, revise.
Exam context
On the UPCAT 2026, the Biology subtest carries a "Core" weight in University of the Philippines's pattern. Body Systems lands at position 5th out of 7 in the standard review order. Target score is UPG ≤ 2.2 typical, and roughly 20 items come from Biology on a typical UPCAT paper.
Body Systems - Cheat sheet
Your last-minute revision companion for Body Systems - covering all 11 major body systems, their functions, and key hormones for UPCAT success
Sections
Section Title
Major Body Systems Overview
Important Facts
- Human body has 11 major body systems that work together
- Each system has specialized organs and tissues
- Systems are interdependent - failure of one affects others
- All systems work to maintain homeostasis
Key Definitions
Term
Body System
Example
Circulatory system transporting blood throughout the body
Definition
A group of organs working together to perform specific functions for the body
Term
Homeostasis
Example
Maintaining constant body temperature
Definition
The body's ability to maintain stable internal conditions despite external changes
Diagrams To Know
- Human body system diagram showing all 11 systems
- Basic organ locations in each system
Common Values
Value
60-100 beats per minute
Symbol
bpm
Quantity
Normal heart rate
Section Title
Transport Systems
Important Facts
- Heart has 4 chambers: 2 atria, 2 ventricles
- Blood carries oxygen, nutrients, and waste products
- Lymphatic system works with immune system
- Lymph vessels collect excess tissue fluid
- White blood cells fight infections
Key Definitions
Term
Circulatory System
Example
Heart pumping blood to deliver oxygen to cells
Definition
Transports gases, nutrients, waste products, hormones, and other materials
Term
Lymphatic System
Example
Lymph nodes filtering harmful substances
Definition
Protects body from pathogens, maintains fluid levels, absorbs fats, removes waste
Diagrams To Know
- Heart structure with 4 chambers labeled
- Blood circulation pathway (pulmonary and systemic)
- Lymphatic system major vessels and nodes
Section Title
Control and Coordination Systems
Important Facts
- Central nervous system: brain and spinal cord
- Peripheral nervous system: all other nerves
- Neurons transmit electrical impulses
- Hormones are chemical messengers
- Endocrine glands secrete hormones into bloodstream
Key Definitions
Term
Nervous System
Example
Brain processing visual information from eyes
Definition
Receives stimuli and sends impulses from one part of the body to another
Term
Endocrine System
Example
Insulin controlling blood sugar levels
Definition
Regulates all biological processes in the body using hormones
Diagrams To Know
- Neuron structure with dendrites, axon, cell body
- Major endocrine glands and their locations
- Reflex arc pathway
Section Title
Support and Movement Systems
Important Facts
- Adult human has 206 bones
- Three types of muscle: skeletal, cardiac, smooth
- Bones produce blood cells in bone marrow
- Joints allow movement between bones
- Muscles work in antagonistic pairs
Key Definitions
Term
Skeletal System
Example
Skull protecting the brain
Definition
Gives physical support and protection to the body
Term
Muscular System
Example
Heart muscle beating to pump blood
Definition
Enables locomotion and movement of internal organs
Diagrams To Know
- Major bones of human skeleton
- Three types of muscle tissue structure
- Joint types and their movements
Section Title
Processing Systems
Important Facts
- Digestion begins in mouth with saliva
- Stomach produces hydrochloric acid
- Small intestine is main absorption site
- Lungs contain millions of alveoli
- Diaphragm controls breathing movements
Key Definitions
Term
Digestive System
Example
Stomach acid breaking down proteins
Definition
Breaks down complex food molecules into simpler molecules for absorption
Term
Respiratory System
Example
Lungs exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide
Definition
Transports air into lungs, facilitates oxygen diffusion, expels carbon dioxide
Diagrams To Know
- Complete digestive tract from mouth to anus
- Respiratory system showing lungs and airways
- Alveoli structure for gas exchange
Section Title
Maintenance and Protection Systems
Important Facts
- Kidneys filter blood 24 hours a day
- Skin is largest organ of the body
- Skin has three layers: epidermis, dermis, hypodermis
- Male and female reproductive systems differ significantly
- Hormones control reproductive functions
Key Definitions
Term
Urinary System
Example
Kidneys filtering blood to remove toxins
Definition
Produces and excretes urine to remove waste products
Term
Integumentary System
Example
Skin preventing water loss and infection
Definition
Protects the body from external environment
Term
Reproductive System
Example
Ovaries producing eggs, testes producing sperm
Definition
Enables reproduction and continuation of species
Diagrams To Know
- Kidney structure and nephron
- Skin layers and structures
- Male and female reproductive organs
Section Title
Key Hormones and Functions
Important Facts
- Pancreas produces both insulin and glucagon
- Thyroid gland controls metabolism
- Parathyroid hormone regulates calcium levels
- Sex hormones control reproductive development
- Pituitary gland is master endocrine gland
Key Definitions
Term
Insulin
Example
Released after eating to store excess glucose
Definition
Pancreatic hormone that lowers blood glucose levels
Term
Growth Hormone
Example
Promotes bone and muscle development in children
Definition
Anterior pituitary hormone that stimulates growth
Diagrams To Know
- Major endocrine glands and their hormones
- Feedback loops for hormone regulation
Must Remember
- 11 major body systems: Circulatory, Lymphatic, Nervous, Skeletal, Muscular, Endocrine, Digestive, Respiratory, Reproductive, Urinary, Integumentary
- Insulin lowers blood glucose, Glucagon raises blood glucose - both from pancreas
- Anterior pituitary produces Growth Hormone and TSH
- Posterior pituitary produces Oxytocin
- Calcitonin (thyroid) lowers calcium, PTH (parathyroid) raises calcium
- Estrogen from ovaries, Testosterone from testes
- Circulatory system transports materials throughout body
- Nervous system receives stimuli and sends impulses
- Endocrine system regulates biological processes with hormones
- All systems work together to maintain homeostasis
Last Minute Tips
- Remember hormone pairs: Insulin-Glucagon for glucose, Calcitonin-PTH for calcium
- Don't confuse anterior vs posterior pituitary - Growth Hormone is ANTERIOR, Oxytocin is POSTERIOR
- Each body system has ONE primary function - memorize the function table
- Pancreas is both endocrine (hormones) and exocrine (digestive enzymes) gland
- Sex hormones come from gonads: Estrogen from ovaries, Testosterone from testes
Comparison Tables
Rows
Values
- Pancreas
- Lowers glucose
- After eating
Property
Insulin
Values
- Pancreas
- Raises glucose
- During fasting
Property
Glucagon
Columns
- Hormone
- Source
- Effect
- When Released
Table Title
Blood Glucose Regulation Hormones
Rows
Values
- Anterior
- Body tissues
- Stimulates growth
Property
Growth Hormone
Values
- Anterior
- Thyroid gland
- Stimulates thyroid
Property
TSH
Values
- Posterior
- Uterus/mammary
- Stimulates contractions
Property
Oxytocin
Columns
- Hormone
- Pituitary Lobe
- Target
- Function
Table Title
Pituitary Hormones
Rows
Values
- Thyroid
- Lowers
- Stores calcium in bones
Property
Calcitonin
Values
- Parathyroid
- Raises
- Releases calcium from bones
Property
PTH
Columns
- Hormone
- Source
- Effect on Calcium
- Action
Table Title
Calcium Regulation
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