Unit 4 Reflection

In unit 4, we focused on the integumentary and immune system. The body has many defense and protection mechanisms, and we learned a few of them such as hair, nails, skin and the immune responses. Our skin protects the body from external damage, however with this, comes the possibility of disease and disorders. Cancers, although take long to form, are mutated cells that multiply quickly without containment. These can be deadly if not treated through things like chemotherapy or radiation. In addition, the immune system protects our bodies from foreign particles and pathogens with accessories such as saliva, mucus or the epiglottis. B and T cells divide and differentiate into many other types, and they fight antigens by producing antibodies and attacking invaders. I understand the integumentary system well because it is visible and easier to see with a naked eye. I struggled to grasp the concept of lymphocyte cells because I cannot plainly see them, so it is harder to imagine their purpose. From the debate, I learned the controversy of a legalized organ market both because of  moral conflict and technical difficulties. I had the chance to develop empathy for both sides of the argument, even though I was only debating one of them. I enjoyed working with my group to learn a lot about the different opinions and statistics of legalizing the sales of human organs because it opened my eyes to an idea that I had not previously thought at all about. I want to learn more about how this has been implemented in other countries, and whether or not it is effective to have an open market because my aunt has been on a donor list for years and I can empathize with the painful waiting time.

Preferred Learning Styles
Being a self aware individual, I was not at all surprised by my learning style scores. Scoring 10 for reading, 8 for kinesthetic, 7 for visual and 3 for aural, I have always understood things better by seeing demonstrations  and reading. As I prepare for my upcoming test, I make myself flash cards on quizlet and I also write down short sentences about concepts that I study with and include little doodles to help myself remember. Also, test taking in a quiet environment is important for me so I will utilize my academic accommodations and take the exam at the TLC.

Unit 3 Reflection

In this unit, I learned the importance of the cardiovascular system. There are so many different components that must work together to function properly. Within the sheep heart dissection, I had the chance to see in depth how a heart is constructed, and it was very useful, especially with observing and understanding chordae tendinae and valves. It is not just the heart that makes up the system, but all of the vessels that connect to form a circuit of complex pathways. It is possible to simplify systemic circulation, through models such as the box heart which helps to show the general flow of blood. Self care is very important to maintain cardiovascular health through diet, exercise, sleep, etc. To improve my cardiovascular health, I plan to be more aware of my cholesterol intake and include more cardio workouts into my schedule.

Sheep Heart Dissection Questions

1) The purpose of the pericardium is to cover and protect the heart and retain its structure. It is constructed of a superficial fibrous layer and a deep serous layer that creates a thin membrane.

2) The function of veins and arteries are different, veins carry oxygenated blood, and arteries deoxygenated blood. They are also structurally different: the walls of veins are thinner than those of arteries. Arteries have thick elastic walls that expand when the heart contracts; they cause vasodilation and vasoconstriction.

3) The auricles on either sides of the heart store blood allowing more volume inside the chambers.

4) The atria are superior to the ventricles. The ventricles are bigger chambers, specifically on the right side because it transports blood throughout the body.

6) 

7) Anchroing of the heart valves by the chordate tendinae and papillary muscle is important because it keeps valves tight to prevent blood back flow. If they were not anchored well, the valves would not shut properly.

8) The left atrioventricular valve is held together by string like chordinae tendineae with small tissues at the ends anchoring the valve to the walls. You can see the two valve indents.

9) Semi-lunar valves separate the ventricles from the openings of the aorta.

10) a. If valve disease occurs on the right side of the heart, swelling can result because the right side of the heart transports blood throughout the body.
      b. If the disease occured on the left side of the heart, heart attack can occur because the left side of the heart pumps blood through the heart.

11)
 Here you can see the chordae tendinae and papillary muscles that anchor the bicuspid valve.

12) The left side of the heart has smaller chambers than the right because its main function is to transport blood through the heart and needs less volume to do so. It transports oxygenated blood and the right pumps deoxygenated.

13)

Mid-unit Summary

The focus of this unit is the Cardiovascular system. Its function is vital to life because it is in charge of transporting oxygen and blood throughout the body and making the heart beat. The heart is composed of four major chambers, the left and right ventricle, and the left and right atrium. It is sometimes referred to as a double pump, because the left side transports oxygenated blood, and the right side deals with the returned deoxygenated blood. Blood vessels transport this blood between chambers and then disperses it throughout the body. Veins carry blood to the heart from tissue, and arteries are vise versa. Hypertension can occur in which the rate at blood is being pumped is faster than vessels can transport it. This can also be influenced by disorders such as atherosclerosis, where blood vessels can become obstructed and clot can occur. Atherosclerosis can trigger aneurysms when vessels burst due to blockage. The blood that is transported by vessels are two types: red blood cells, and white blood cells. Red blood cells are composed of hemoglobin which carry oxygen and do not have nuclei. Anemia can occur when there is a lack of oxygen carried in these cells and is genetically inherited. White blood cells have five types: neutrophils (ingest bacteria), basophils (inflammation and allergic reactions), eosinophils (also elevated in reactions), lymphocytes (destroy bacteria and attack threatening cells), monocytes (similar to lymphocytes but are larger with more intercellular space). Diseases can occur within the cardiovascular system like heart attacks and strokes. These occur when there is reduced blood flow to the heart or complete cut off. Symptoms may not show or are overlooked easily because blocked arteries do not always appear blocked.  Strokes however, occur in blood vessels in the brain or leading to the brain. When blood can not properly flow, arteries can burst, which can be life threatening.

Blood Pressure Lab Analysis

Analysis Questions
1) The systolic blood pressure is when the heart contracts, and the diastolic blood pressure is when the heart relaxes. The systolic number will always be higher than the diastolic number because it takes more pressure to squeeze blood out of the heart through the body than to relax and return less blood to the heart.
2) A stethoscope is used to measure heart rate by counting the number of heart beats heard in 30 seconds and multiplying by 2. A blood pressure cuff, or sphygmomanometer, is used to measure blood pressure by cutting off the blood circulation and slowly releasing the constriction.
3)Using your thumb to measure pulse is not ideal because there is a pulse in your thumb and when taking other people's heart rates you can begin to count your own rate rather than someone else's.
4)To use a blood pressure cuff, you first put the cuff around the upper arm and make sure the air bladder is deflated. Place the stethoscope just under the cuff  and inflate fairly quickly. Watch the pressure gauge and stop squeezing around 150 mmHg when a pulse cannot be heart anymore. Slowly open the valve and listen for the return of the heart beat and note the number, and when you can no longer hear the heart beat as well. The systolic blood pressure over the diastolic pressure is the final blood pressure.

Chalk Walk

In this chalk walk, we reviewed the flow of blood throughout the circulatory system. The heart is composed of four main chambers, the right and left ventricle, and the right and left atrium. The right side transports de-oxygenated blood through the system to the left side that transports oxygenated blood. Deoxygenated blood enters through the right atrium, passing through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle. From here it passes through the pulmonary arteries into the lungs. The lungs inhale oxygen, which is transported through the blood into left pulmonary veins. It passes through the left atrium, past the bicuspid valve and dumps into the left ventricle. Once going through the aorta and inferior/superior vena cava, the blood recycles through the process again.

Unit 2 Reflection

Unit 2 was focused around the five pillars of health: nutrition, sleep, stress, exercise and social. I learned that all of these factors must be balanced down to microscopic level in order to make sure that our bodies function properly. Each pillar is intertwined with the next because exercise reduces stress, stress reduction increases sleep ability,and nutrition allows body to move and work. Cortisol has been a very important hormone in this unit. It is a stress trigger hormone that signals fight or flight responses, but also controls sleeping habits. Therefore it must be balanced enough to maintain emotional stability, but still vary in levels to direct the body to wake up and go to sleep.

In the nutritional analysis project, I found that my diet is not as balanced as I thought it was. I am taking in 50% of the amount of calories I should, which is very dangerous for the higher level intensity activity I participate in. I am becoming much more aware of what I am eating, I try to find foods that are high in calories, but not high in carbohydrates. A goal of mine is to eat three consistent meals a day so that I am not constantly snacking throughout the day. It will be easier to measure my caloric intake because it isn't spread out.

The sleep diary showed that I am not getting enough sleep, especially on week days when I have school and other extracurriculars. I have always known that I struggle with insomnia, but I rarely change habits which might provide a positive outcome. For the longest time, I did not understand why we need sleep, psychologically there is no requirement as our brains are more active during night. I learned in this unit that we physically need sleep so that cell waste in the brain can be flushed out, lowering brain disease risk.

In conclusion, I learned about many different components to health in this unit. It was informational, but I also had the chance to apply the facts to my own life. I gained self awareness for my health, especially with sleep and nutrition. I plan to continue to make changes in my life in order to benefit my overall wellbeing.

Sleep Diary Reflection

Sleep Diary Reflection

From Wednesday September 28th until Tuesday October 4th, I kept track of my sleep habits, which included: wakeup time, bedtime, number of awakenings during the night and caffeine intake. I have struggled with stress-induced insomnia all of my life, and so keeping track of my sleep is a fairly familiar routine for doctors to analyze. I've learned a lot about sleep from specialists, and I find it an extremely interesting process. I learned that it is more important to have a consistent wake up time rather than trying to focus on a set bedtime. This is because it is impossible to force sleep, but it is easier to wakeup. 

I personally have found a routine that works for my body, I go to bed later but I sleep more soundly than if I tried to lie down at an earlier time. Spending too much time in bed lying awake creates stress and anger, making it even more difficult to fall asleep. The sleep diary that I did for this assignment looks very similar to the ones I have kept in the past. I only get 7 hours, on average, of sleep but I wake up a lot less in the night than when I tried to get 8 or 9 hours of forced sleep. Uninterrupted sleep feels more refreshing than a restless night. Overall, this assignment is a good reminder that sleep is important to my wellbeing and the consistency that I have found has been beneficial for the other health pillars of my life.

Wellness Day Reflection

Yoga and Wellness Presentation Reflection

For my wellness presentation, my group focused on yoga and its relation to health. I have always been a large believer in the benefits of mindfulness and meditation. The information I share on this topic I experience personally, I dislocated my wrist several years ago and I had to go through intensive physical therapy. It was recommended that I attend a yoga class, as it would not only help to regain strength and flexibility, it will benefit the rest of my body and my mind as well. Most pain experienced from injuries is transmitted through electrical signals to the brain, and yoga teaches techniques to calm and center hyperactivity the nervous system . Yoga improves mental health as well, and encourages happiness and self reflection. It was so much easier working through my physical therapy with a positive mindset.

The evolution of yoga as a practice is very interesting to me. I learned that it started off as a way of learning about the world around us, and over time it became about self reflection and discovery, looking inward. Yoga therapy is used in eating disorder and addiction clinics. The improvement that can be made through practicing is pretty amazing even though it is so simple. It encourages the disconnection of mind and body, so that physical needs are put before self depriving thinking. It starts with physical health and once we are stable, we can  shift the focus to repairing mental health problems. Every major system in our body is connected, and yoga allows us to compartmentalize each aspect of our body. This way we can adapt certain parts so that it becomes more effective to work together. It is also not a demanding activity, all that is needed is space, unlike hockey or football. Yoga can be modified in order to fit each individual’s needs, it teaches self acceptance instead of setting a standard for performance.

Bikram yoga proved to be the most interesting to me throughout this project. It is a very controversial practice, as some say that it is a great form of exercise and weight loss, while others disagree. From what I gathered, it is not bad for you, it is a very unique form of yoga but there are a few risks. It is very easy to become dehydrated during this class because of how much you are sweating, and so it’s important to drink a lot of water beforehand. Also, despite common belief, sweating does not expel many toxins. Most toxins that are flushed from our bodies go through the digestive system. Bikram yoga does increase dopamine levels which helps with depression, anxiety, and encourages positivity.

Overall for my group project, I would grade us an 8 out of 10. We worked well together, despite having challenges with finding times to meet up. We put a lot of effort into our presentation like planning out a beneficial and fun lesson . I also think that our presentation was fun yet informational. The transition from the slideshow to activity was smooth and we incorporated everyone at once. I think I could improve by knowing the information I am presenting more. Although I know a lot about yoga, once I have a more solid understanding of it, I can better teach it to others. I don’t know about everyone else, but I personally felt very happy after doing a little bit of yoga during a crazy and hectic school day.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1nX0AHF02SSpok9OldDJyl2Am5aqhlkqXiDlwdUjjQno/edit#slide=id.p

Health Pillars

Health to me, means a balance of physical and mental well being. Exercise and social pillars are my strengths, however sleep and nutrition are definitely my challenges. The more that I focus on my overall wellness rather than just one or two pillars, I believe that it will be easier to stay in an optimum health range.

Bipolar Neurons

 Bipolar Nervous Cells are involved with stimulus and sense control. They are specialized for sensory transmission through two processes, hence "Bi"polar. They have one axon and one dendrite that extend the cell body in order to receive signals. Dendrites can stretch up to 1 m through the body creating very sensitive nerves. These cells are eukaryotic and also have a very high metabolism, and therefore have a high demand for oxygen and glucose. Bipolar Neurons make up nervous tissue which is in charge of control throughout the body. They are highly specialized cells and are different from other cells with axons and dendrites.

They are very long and skinny cells that do not reproduce like epithelial cells do.  The peripheral and central nervous systems receive signals from these cells to pass on information such as touch, pain, heat, hearing and vision to different sensory cells. Examples of the nervous cells are those in the retina of the eye, or epithelial. 

Hanna Banana Final Autopsy Report

On August 26th, 2016, Hanna the Banana was analyzed for a final autopsy after her death. We viewed several angles that included the exterior and the interior. We looked for existing scars, birthmarks, bruises and other abnormalities.

First, Hanna Banana's external body was analyzed. On the anterior we found a laceration medial to her ear that seems recent. We also discovered that her left eye has been removed with several gashes surrounding the socket. A large gash was noticed 1 cm superior to the mouth and a similar cut was found inferior to her arm. From a posterior view, there is a wide incision proximal to the elbow with two fingers cut off distal to the cut. A large laceration is 2 cm superior to the feet and also looks new. On the right anterior, a cut is 1.5 cm inferior to the neck. Several puncture wounds and discoloration are 2 cm superior to the ear and also look recent. The victim would not have been able to inflict these gashes on herself based on location and size. There is overall an equal amount of wounds on the anterior and posterior inferring that Hanna the Banana had  been attacked from the side.

Next, Hanna the Banana's ventral body cavity peel was removed to reveal internal organs. We then observed the body from two sagittal views. In the first Sagittal view, we noticed discoloration and bruising on the anterior right of the frontal plane. The discoloration looks like it has been there for awhile, but the bruising fairly fresh. Bruising inferior to the arm para medial is 6 cm long. In the second view, There are several gashes, both superior to the arms and anterior. Discoloration appears inferior to the two wounds and medial. The discoloration is slightly brown but not new.

In conclusion and based off of the evidence, I believe that Hanna the Banana's death was not accidental because of her recent inconsistent wounds. Her posterior gashes and cuts would be very difficult to inflict on herself. Especially in the case of the cut 1.5 cm inferior to her neck. Her arm and shoulder flexibility range would not be able to reach that far behind her back. It seems that she was attacked unexpectedly with a combination of blunt force trauma and a sharp weapon.