Chapter 1 Reflection: Exploring Life

Today: 30, October 2012

Artifact:Chapter 1 Vocabulary Activity

Artifact Date: 06 September 2012

In this activity we made a concept chart on a white board using Chapter 1 vocabulary words. We linked the words together and explained how they work together.

In this activity I learned how the words link together, such as Domain and Archea, Bacteria, and Eukarya are connected because Archea, Bacteria, and Eukarya are domains.

Chapter 2 Reflection:  The Chemical Basis of Life

Today: 30 October 2012

Artifact: Chapter 2 Chemistry Activities

Artifact Date: 19 September 2012

For this activity we went online and completed the assigned chapter two activities involving elements, atoms, and molecules. I chose this activity because it is fun to go online and do these activities.

Something scientific from this activity is that there are five atoms inportant to living things: hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and chlorine. Also I learned that carbon and hydrogen have similar electronegativies and that a carbon-hydrogen covalent bond is nonpolar. 

Chapter 4 Reflection On: A Tour of a Cell

Today: 30 October 2012

Artifact: Chapter 4 Drawing Notes: The Cell

Artifact Date: 27 September 2012

I chose Chapter 4 Drawing Notes to reflect on for this reflection. For these drawing notes we labeled and colored pictures of bacteria, cells, parts of cells, chloroplasts, and junctions.

I really liked the drawing notes because I learn best when I label and color. I learned alot from these drawings. I learned that bacterium have ribosomes. I also learned that mitochondrian have many parts. They have an outer membrane, intermembrane space, inner membrane, cristae, and matrix.

Chapter 6 Reflection On: How Cell Harvest Chemical Energy

Today: October 30 2012

Artifact: Chapter 6 Drawing Notes: How Cells Harvest Chemical Energy

Artifact Date: 03 October 2012

For this artifact we labeled and colored our drawing notes for chapter 6. We labeled and colored glycoysis, the citric acid cycle, the ECT and oxidative phosphoralation. We labeled and colored the steps for each of these processes.

I really liked the drawing notes. I like them because I learn best when I get to color and label diagrams. It helps me learn better. 

Chapter 20 Reflection: Unifying Concepts of Animal Structure and Function

Today: 09, January 2013

Artifact: Chapter 20 Vocab Man Activity

Artifact Date: 23, October 2013

In this activity we made a poster of a man and labeled him with the vocabulary words from Chapter 20. We portrayed through pictures and words our understanding of the vocabulary for Chapter 20.

In this activity I learned that ligaments connect bone to bone. I also learned that the immune system is all throughout your body. I learned that your appendix plays a major role in your immune system.

Chapter 30 Reflection: How Animals Move (Skeletal & Muscular)

Today: 09, January 2013

Artifact: Chapter 30 Drawing Notes

Artifact Date: 01 November 2012

In this activity we were assigned a packet of drawings of the skeletal system,vertebrae, bone structure, joints, muscle structure, characteristics of muscle fibers, types of locomotion and skeletons for animals. We then labeled and colored the pictures and diagrams.

In this activity I learned the proper placement of the radius and ulna in the forearm. I also learned that a fully contracted muscle has a contracted sarcomere, which is the contractile unit of a myofibriI.

I liked this activity because I learn best when I label diagrams and  color them.

Chapter 28 Reflection: Nervous System

Today: 10, March 2013

Artifact: Chapter 28 Neuron Activity

Artifact Date: 11, February 2013

For this activity we partnered up and made a model of a neuron. We made the neuron out of a styrofoam ball, pipecleaners, feathers, and beads.

In this activity we made and labeled a neuron. I learned the basic structure of a neuron. I also learned how the structures ineract together. I learned that signals enter through the dendrites and make their way into the cell baody and to the nucleus. The the signals travel out through the axon, and to Schwan cells through Nodes of Ranvier. Eventually they travel to Synaptic Terminals and to another neuron.

I really liked this activity. I thought it was fun.

Chapter 21 Reflection: Digestive System

Today: 10, March 2013

Artifact: The Digestive System - The Teeth

Artifact Date: 21 February 2013

In this activity we were given a worksheet on the teeth and the parts of a tooth. We had to label the teeth and the different parts and sections of a tooth.

I learned that there are three sections of a tooth: the crown, neck, and root. I also learned that beneath the enamel is dentin and beneath the dentin is the pulp of a tooth. I also learned that a person's wisdom teeth are considered thrid molars.

Chapter 23 Reflection On: The Circulatory System

Today:12 March 2013

Artifact: The Circulatory System ~ Drawing Notes

Artifact Date: 12 March 2013

For this artifact we were given a packet on the circulatory system. We colored and labeled ventricles, atriums, diagrams of the heart, and control of capillary blood flow by precapillary sphincters. I chose this artifact becasue I enjoy labeling and coloring diagrams.

By completing this artifact I learned that a Pacemaker generates signal to contract the heart muscle, then the signals spread through the atria and are delayed at the AV (atrioventricular) node, the signals relay to the apex of the heart, and then the signals spread through the ventricle.

Chapter 22: The Respiratory System

Today: 10 May 2013

Artifact: Chapter 22 Drawing Notes

Artifact Date: 9 April 2013

In this activity we had to color and label different parts and different kinds of the respiratory system. We labeled and colored humans' respiratory systems; we also colored and labeled a fish's, and insect's and a raccoon's respiratory system. 

I learned that the tracheal system of an insect consists of tubes that extend throughout the body. I also learned that the medulla and pons help control breathing.

Fetal Pig Dissection

Today: 13 May 2013

Dissection Date:

For this dissection we dissected a fetal pig. Our pig was female, full term and was about 36 centimenters. She weighed almost two pounds. Upon external observation, everything appeared normal. Inernal anatomy appeared normal too. Liver weighed 57.73 g, was brown and had 5 lobes. One thing I thought was interesting was that the left lobe of the liver weighed more than the right. The left weighed 18.03 g and the right weighed 15.09. That is almost a 3 g difference. I didn't like it. Also the kidneys weighed slightly different. The right weighed 7.02 and the left weighed 6.32. Out of all the organs, the small intestine weighed the most, at 30.44g. The small intestine was also the longest in length at about 320 cm. 

This was a fun dissection. I really started to enjoy this dissection after we emptied the bodily fluids from the pig. I really enjoyed looking at the organs, especially the stomach and the intestines. I learned that a pig's liver has five lobes and that they actually do have a gallbladder. I also learned that they have the smae heart structure as a sheep's heart and that their hearts are so cute. This was such a fun dissection, you should definately keep this dissection! :) 

Rat Skeleton Project:

In this project we had to dissect, boil, dehydrate, and articulate a rat. This was an interesting project. I DID NOT like it at the beginning but articulating it was fun. I glued my fingers together and to the rat so many times, it was so frustrating. The finished product was really cool.

Something scientific I learned was that rats have all the bones that humans do and that their tarsals are soo tiny! They look like little pieces of Ramen Noodles. One thing I thought was interesting was that their patellas are so cute. They are tiny and like little bowls. I think it is cute.  

My Choice: Sheep Heart Dissection

Today: 13 May 2013

Dissection Date: 25 March 2013

Originally in this dissection we were partnered up and given a heart to dissect, but because I was absent a day I was given a heart to dissect on my own.The first part of this dissection was the Pre-Lab. In the Pre-Lab we labeled pictures of the heart with the correct terminology.  Then we moved on to the actual dissection.

Before cutting I had to identify the the left atrium and ventricle; I also had to identify the right atrium and ventricle. Then I had to draw and label the sides, identifying the apex. I also had to write details of the heart I was given. Then I had to identify the auricles and the superior and inferior vena cava and pulmonary vein. I also identifyed the aorta, pulmonary artery. After the identification process came the actual dissection. I cut the heart vertically down the center. Next I identifyed the interior of the heart. I identifyed the tricuspid valve, the papillary muscles, the chordae tendinae. I also inserted my probe into the pulmonary artery proving that it connects to the right ventricle. I then located the mitral valve between the left atrium and ventricle.  

After the dissection I drew a blood flow diagram. showing the blood flow to and from the heart, using red to portray oxygenated blood and blue to portray deoxygenated blood.

I loved this lab!! I liked it because these dissections are the best way to learn. It was so fun, I really liked dissecting the heart on my own. I learned that there really are heart strings and that their proper name is chordae tendinae. I also learned that the mitral valve is between the left atrium and ventricle.

My Choice: Labs

Today: 12 March 2013

Artifact: Lab #6 ~ Simulated Urinalysis Kit

Artifact Date: 1 March - 4 March 2013

In this lab we were given "urine" to test. The purpose of this lab was to observe hoe the chemical makeup of urine can be an indicator of internal  body chemistry and possible imbalances. We tested five "urine samples" from five different people. We tested the urine samples for protein, sugar, pH, and specific gravity. We also observed the color.

I learned a lot in this lab. I learned that a normal pH of urine ranges from 4.6 - 8.0. I also learned that high levels of protein in urine indicate  glomerular damage in the kidney and that it can be a result of excessive exercise or cold exposure.

I really enjoyed this lab. It was fun to perform. I wish we could use real urine instead of simulated.

My Choice: Chapter 20 Drawing Notes

Today: 11 January 2013

Artifact: Chapter 20 Drawing Notes

Artifact Date: 23 October 2013

In this activity we were assigned a packet of animal structure and function. We had to label and color diagrams of different types of tissue such as connective, epithelial, muscle, and nervous, and the different systems in the body such as nervous and cardiac. 

I chose this artifact because I love hands on activities like this where we have to color and label diagrams. I learn best this way. I learned a lot from this packet. I learned that the lymphatic and immune system is throughout your entire body and that smooth muscle tissue is made up of two layers. 

My Choice Reflection On: Labs

Today: 31 October 2012

Artifact: Lab # 1 Autopsy Report

Artifact Date: 05 October 2012

For this lab we were given a victim and and had to determine the cause of death. Our victim was a pickle named Guy Sibert who was found outside, on his back dead. We observed the patient and found no external abnormalities except for an incision in the thoracic region. Then while performing an internal examination we found a bullet lodged in the patient's chest cavity. Based off this information we determined that our patient died from an unintentional gun shot wound.