CHAPTER VI 



THE KINETIC SYSTEM 



Function of a Kinetic System 



THE adaptation of man and kindred animals to 

 environment is secured by a series of physical and 

 chemical reactions which are the outward expressions 

 of a transformation of energy, by which the forces 

 latent in food products that have been appropriated 

 and stored in the organism are released to produce 

 heat and motion. In this transformation of energy 

 certain organs perform such prominent roles, and per- 

 form them so uniformly, that we conclude that these 

 organs cooperate as a system whose specific function 

 is to transform potential into kinetic energy for adap- 

 tive reactions. 



Let us first see how the postulation of such a system 

 in the human organism would affect the roles of other 

 recognized systems in the body, and the parts they 

 play in the conversion of energy. Man appropriates 

 from his environment the energy he requires in the form 

 of crude food, which is refined by the digestive system. 

 Oxygen is taken to the blood and carbon dioxid is taken 

 from the blood by the respiratory system. To and from 

 the myriads of working cells of the body, food, oxygen 

 and waste are carried by the circulatory system. The 

 body is cleared of waste by the urinary system. Pro- 

 creation is accomplished by the genital system. Each 



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