Urinary Video

Engaging in class

It is no surprise that I am introverted. I am not one to ask many questions or say my opinion on certain topics in class. However, i am still engaged in what we are learning about. At times it may seem as though I am not paying attention in class because I am so quiet but that's not the case! I have unusual ways of listening and participating. For example, I may be listening to everything said in class but I won't be making direct eye contact which gives the appearance that i am not engaged. I'm not going to lie, there are times when I randomly zone out.. But who doesn't! So really the main way I stay in engaged is by listening and talking to friends near me about what we have learnt. I also take what others say in class and learn from their questions since most of the time, i have the same questions. Listening and taking everything into account is how I stay engaged in class. In addition, blogposts and   notes really help me be engaged in class. 

Urinary System Question

What happens if you're born with one kidney? Will you survive?

Nothing, you will survive! Many people are born with only one kidney; the left kidney being more absent than the right.

The single kidney will grow faster and grow bigger than a paired kidney. This makes the single kidney larger and heavier making it more vulnerable to injury. Therefore one has to be very careful in regards to physical activity such as boxing, football, soccer, etc.

In conclusion, if you are born with one kidney you do not need to fret! The only thing you need to do is be careful and visit your doctor yearly (urine test & blood pressure).

Learn more!

Playland!!!

Heart Rate: 

My heart rate increased drastically when I was in line for a ride. Well it really depend ed on what ride it was.. like for atmosphere I was a nervous wreck! I was fine at first but when my friends started to get nervous, it made me nervous causing my heart rate to increase. I do not have exact numbers or anything but I do know that my heart rate increased when I was in lineups and on rides!

I think heart rate is affected because our brain signals our heart that we feel nervous/anxious which makes the heart beat faster.

Breathing Rate:

My breathing rate was definitely affected by the rides!! The rides which affected my breathing rate were: the Atmosphere and the Enterprise. These two rides had me breathless!! I had to start breathing in and out through my mouth and at times it felt like I could not breathe at all... the constant laughing did not help my breathing either.

Other Physiological Effects: 
I actually puked at playland! (yuck) but it was not due to the rides. I was starving!!! So when we finally sat down to eat, I think I ate way too quick which gave me the worst tummy ache ever! I could not even walk, it was horrible. But after puking, I felt much better and went on the crazy beach party right after!

Other than that, on rides such as the pirate ship or hellsgate, I would get that dropping feeling in my stomach. Plus my heart rate would increase and sometimes my breathing rate would as well! 

Heart Dissection

Compare the structure of the atria and ventricles - how are they different?  Why is that?

Atria: thin muscular walls, blood enters them through a blood vessel and leaves through a valve
Ventricles: thick muscular walls, blood enters them through a valve and leaves through a blood vessel.

Did you notice a difference between the veins and arteries entering and leaving the heart?  How is their structure different?
Veins: carry deoxygenated blood back to  heart (except in pulmonary vein), thin muscular wall, little elastic tissue, blood under low pressure, blood flows slowly  

Arteries: carry oxygenated blood from heart (except in pulmonary artery), thick muscular wall, have lots of elastic tissue, blood under high pressure, blood flows rapidly

Describe the valves that you found in the heart - what are their functions?

AV Valves (Tricuspid & Mitral):  

Tricuspid: between right atrium and right ventricle, closes when the right ventricle contracts therefore the blood from the ventricles are able to go out of the heart  

Mitral: between left atrium & left ventricle, closes when left ventricle contracts, preventing back flow of blood into left atrium

Semi-lunar Valve: allow blood to flow from atria to ventricles, & prevent back flow of blood when the ventricles contract

What surprised you about dissecting the heart?  Why?

I was just surprised about how complex the heart really was! Although I did not participate in the act of cutting the heart apart, I was able to see everything. It is so weird to think that that thing is actually in our body and one of the main reasons why we're alive! I was also surprised when I was able to recognize the ventricles and atrium's. Excluding the fact that the heart was VERY disgusting, it was very cool/interesting to see what the heart actually looked like since we always saw it on paper! 

Circulatory Quiz Review



Pulmonary vs. Systematic:

Pulmonary:
blood takes up oxygen in lungs
deoxygenated blood
right side of the heart
walls are thinner

Systematic:
oxygenated blood
blood distrubuted to body
walls are thicker

Similarities:
carry blood to the tissues of whole body
both necessary to homeostasis

Arteries vs. Veins:

Arteries:
have a thicker wall because of larger middle area
have arteriole

Veins:
layer in diameter
have venule and valves
thinner wall
walls have less smooth muscle & connective tissue

Similarities:
walls have 3 layers
inner layer composed largely of endothelium with basement membrane that has elastic fibers
middle layers is smooth tissue
outer layer is connective tissue (collagen fibers)

Fetal Circulation:

Ductus Venosus: umbilical vein attaches to vena cava
Ductus Arteriosis: between pulmonary trunk and aorta, make sure blood doesnt go into fetus lungs
Foramenovale: allows blood into R.A and L.A

Circulatory Question

How long does it take for red blood cells to circulate the whole body?

It takes about 20 seconds!
Click here to learn more about RBC's


How much blood does a healthy heart pump?

A healthy heart pumps 2,000 gallons of blood
More about the heart

What is Lymphedema and how is it caused?

Lymphedema is a common disease which occurs in the lymphatic system. It is the swelling caused by the build up of lymph fluid, which may occur if the lymphatic system is damaged. It usually affects limbs (legs, arms) but the face/neck  may also be affected. In an extreme state the edema progresses. Skin becomes thicken with an appearance similar to elephant limbs.

It is most frequently seen after lymph node dissection, surgery and/or radiation therapy, in which damage to the lymphatic system is caused during the treatment of cancer. However the exact cause is unknown. 

Unfortunately there are no cures for this, but it can be controlled. :( 

Diseases of the Lymphatic System

*Fun fact: In 1929, German surgeon Werner Forssmann (1904-1979) examined the inside of his own heart by inserting a catheter into his arm vein and pushing it into his heart, inventing cardiac catheterization.
Learn more about Mr. Forssmann

Lab: Exploring pH

INTRO: 

What is an acid? 
pH of 0-7, releases H+ ions, [H+] > [OH-]
What is a base? 
pH of 7-14, releases OH- ions (or takes up H+ ions), [OH-] > [H+]
What is a buffer?
compound that maintains pH by accepting or releasing H+ ions, bicarbonate & phosphate

MATERIALS:

• HCL
• NaOH
• Unknown A,B,C,D
• Distilled water
• Litmus paper
• pH paper
• Buffer pH 7
• Spot plate
• Test tubes

RECORDINGS:

EXPLANATION: 

Classify, explain how the buffer worked? Baking soda + vinegar? 
A buffer has a very stable pH. For instance, if you add acid or base to a buffered solution, its pH will not change significantly. Therefore when hydrogen ions are added to a buffer, they will be neutralized by the base in the buffer. Same will happen to hydroxide ions, which will be neutralized by the acid. These neutralization reactions will not have much effect on the overall pH of the buffer solution. *We did not use the baking soda or vinegar. 

CONCLUSION:

Two questions that have arisen from your experiment.
1. Has their ever been an incident where a buffer was not able to work?
2. What can cause your body to have an out of balance pH?

Respiration Questions

How inspiration and expiration work: 

Inspiration:

The intercostal muscles and the diaphragm contract to begin inspiration.
Process: 

the intercostal muscles contract -> ribs elevate -> increase dimension of thoracic cavity -> air pressure in lungs is lowered -> air moves into lungs

contraction of diaphragm -> diaphragm moves down -> dimension of thoracic cavity increases -> air pressure in lungs lower -> air moves into lungs

Expiration:
intercostal muscles and diaphragm relax -> diaphragm & ribs relax -> volume of thoracic cavity decreases -> pressure in lungs increase -> air is exhaled

Inflate and Deflate?  

Inflation:

Caused when your chest moves up (contraction of thoracic cavity). Your lungs inflate with oxygen when you breath causing them to expand therefore expanding your lungs/chest.

Deflation:
Caused when your diaphragm and intercostal muscles relax. 

What part of the process requires a "muscle contraction" of the diaphragm?

Inhalation! 

All About Lungs

Are our lungs the same size? 

No, your left lung is smaller than your right lung because the larger part of your heart bulges out to the left side of your chest leaving very little room for your left lung.

Can your lungs float?

Yes, if our lungs are filled with air they are able to float because air is lighter than water therefore a lung filled with air rises to the surface.

Do both lungs hold the same amount of air as one another?

No, the right lung is capable of holding more air than the left because it is larger in size when compared to the left lung.

Does the breathing rate differ in people?

Yes, the breathing rate does differ in people; the breathing rate is faster in women and children than men.

Approximately how big are our lungs?

If you roll out a lung, flat, it would be the same size of a tennis court.

http://dragoncity.50webs.com/lung.htm
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_do_lungs_float
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_makes_the_right_lung_take_in_more_air_than_the_left
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_long_is_your_lungs_when_rolled_out

Kamalvir Narwal
Ashpreet Gill

Vital Capacity Lab

1. How does your vital capacity compare to others in the class? Describe some reasons why you think your vital capacity is what it is. Why are the highest and lowest vital capacities the way they are?
When comparing my vital capacity to others in the class, my vital capacity was farely lower. For example, Ashpreet and Brianna both received a 2.4 where as I received a 1.6. I think one's vital capacity depends on physical activity, sex, weight, and height. I think that the lowest and highest capacities are the way that they are because of the height. For example my vital capacity was very low especially compared to Monica who received a 3.2. 

2. How much air is in a usual breath? Why are our breaths the volume that they are?
There is 500mL of air in a usual breath. Our breaths are the volume that they are due to healthy lungs.

3. How is the mechanism of exhaling forcefully different than a usual exhalation? Why would practice at this via exercise/instrument playing/singing make you better at it?
The mechanism of exhaling forcefully is different than a usual exhalation because you are putting more pressure on your lungs to exhale than you normally would. Practicing through exercise, playing instruments, or singing can make you better at it because all these activities involve heavy breathing and exahling for long periods of time.

Interim Mark

1. An experience where I felt successful in class was when we did the digestive system test and I knew a lot more than I thought I would know. I also took time to study for this test which is very significant because I never study for any test.

2. In my opinion, my work habits in biology are well. If I were to look through my binder, all my work would be finished. I have handed in all my assignments in biology as well. However I think I could improve my work habits by not procrastinating in class and studying for tests!

3. I have had the chance to work with other students in the class which is great! Working with other students (in groups) enhanced my learning because they told me information about biology that I did not understand and I was able to help my partner in the same way. I think working in groups is a great way to help students learn information they had trouble undearstanding.

4. I hope to have a much better understanding of the human body because in my opinion everyone should be knowledgable about themselves! However to achieve this goal I need to study, do homework, and pay attention in class. Which seems pretty fair to me.

Biological Molecules & Food Lab

1. Of the 3 tests that we did, many of the food items had positive results. For the lipids (fat) test, it was clear when the result was positive because the paper had a grease stain. The food products that had a positive result for the lipid test were butter and the cupcake. For the starch test, a positive result was evident when the food turned black. The bread and the cupcake were the clear winners of this result. Lastly the simple sugars (glucose) test. A postive result was shown when the benedict solution (copperIIsulphate) turned yellow/orange in the orange and apple.

2.

The building blocks of the starch molecule are made of glucose.

3. I think the reason that all the results turned positive after the extra two minutes in Josh and Thomas's lab is because the carbohydrate molecules finally got the additional time that they needed to break apart, releasing the simple sugars (glucose).

4. The life of a pear: The food begins its journey starting with the mouth where mechanical and chemical digestion is introduced. Our teeth break down the food into smaller pieces as our salivary glands secrete saliva; breaking down the food (salivary amylase) through chemical digestion. While all this is occurring, the tongue moves the bolus (chewed food) to the back of the mouth to swallow. The bolus then travels through the pharynx into our esophagus (thanks to peristalsis) where it soon meets the cardiac sphincter. But sometimes the epiglottis forgets to close itself when we are swallowing and the bolus goes into our trachea instead. Which results in choking - uh oh! Now going back to the cardiac sphincter, this muscular valve allows the bolus to enter the stomach. The bolus is now called 'chyme'. As food passes into our stomach, it expands. The food travels through the pyloric sphincter into the duodenum. The liver, pancreas, and gall bladder are accessory organs. The liver receives all the blood returning from the digestive tract and processes protein, fats, and carbohydrates. It also produces bile, which emulsifies fats into the small intestine to aid in their digestion. Bile is stored into the gall bladder. Sodium bicarbonate (produced by the pancreas) neutralizes the chyme entering the small intestine from the stomach. The food in the small intestine is mixed around by the villi. Digestion and absorption of nutrients are complete by the time the contents reach the end of the small intestine. The large intestine absorbs most of the remaining water and compacts the residual matter as feces. The waste then enters the rectum and exits through the anus.

Video Response: Real or Fake?

After watching this video we realized that it is debatable if the video was true or not. However, we came to the conclusion that the video is fake. The water molecules could not simply hold together according to the shape of the glass because of the force of gravity. As in the penny lab, we were able to analyze that when the water molecules increased, they were eventually unable to withstand gravity.

Why Bio?

Believe it or not, I took Biology because it was an academic... probably not the best reason but hey it's better than taking Pre-Calculus! I'm don't like sciences nor am I going into sciences in the future but ironically I am really interested in learning about the human body. Plus, I do find biology one of the easier sciences compared to Physics! In grade 8 we didn't go into depth about the functions of the numerous systems in our body and I'm really looking forward to learn more about how our body is able to do the miraculous things it does! My question is: (it may seem silly or obvious, but I don't have a clue to what the answer is!) why does our heart start to beat fast when we are nervous or scared?