Welcome to Anatomy and Physiology! We will explore all aspects of the human body beginning with the microscopic. We will take a look at the chemistry of life and cells, and then move on to those parts of the body that involve covering, support, and movement. After exploring the integumentary, muscular, and skeletal systems, the next will involve regulation in the body through the nervous and the endocrine systems. Next semester we will take a look at all the systems that contribute to maintenance of the body including the cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, urinary, digestive, and immune systems. And finally we will explore the reproductive system and heredity. Throughout these units we will see God’s amazing design of how structure serves function to make the human body the incredible organism that it is. We will learn in a variety of ways, including labs, group work, writing, and more.
Anatomy Week 1 (August 12)
We started off Anatomy this week by receiving our textbooks and taking a look at expectations, procedures, and safety guidelines for class. We found out a bit about what we already know about Anatomy and started to investigate a mystery disease. In doing so, we reviewed some science terms like qualitative and quantitative data and introduced some ideas that we will look at in Chapter 1 like homeostasis, levels of organization, and regions of the body. We talked about different ways that we can take notes as we do our homework reading and how to rank our own understanding. I am looking forward to Week 2 as we will continue to investigate our mystery disease and use some of the terminology from Chapter 1 for our frog dissection! See the link below to see the slides that guided our class.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1KQfGKqa8HkDyeoy4JGouXTeZejsx-aG4A4Pc2XJbtyQ/edit?usp=sharing
Anatomy Week 2 (August 19)
Today in anatomy we filled out some information on possible diseases that could be responsible for the mystery illness we are investigating. We touched on a few concepts that related the illness to the chemistry of life, which is the theme of Chapter 2. We went over our homework on Chapter 1, filled out an organizer on it, and then completed our frog dissection! During the dissection, we paid attention to those parts of the frog that are similar to humans and tried to use some of the terminology we learned in Chapter 1 like, “ventral, dorsal, medial, distal, sagittal, cavities”, etc. See the link below to see the slides that guided our class. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1uuVTY8YjH3CoDZ7w5LLXE8jBVh8OXPao2EspW6PAoqg/edit?usp=share_link
Anatomy Week 3 (August 26)
This week in Anatomy we began with a video clip on intense chemicals found in the human body. We went over the content from Chapter 2 using organizers and highlighting important points. Students shared and checked their answers from homework as well. We revisited our patient with the mystery disease and discovered some new test results as we tried to figure out what might be wrong. We went on to do a lab on identifying macromolecules in different foods and liquids. And finally we did some review on chapters 1 and 2. Here is the link to the slides that guided our class today: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1U7PUnWKxVcKSKPxtsdCaHdBHletdVbPm-YUc0Mmt1bA/edit?usp=share_link
Anatomy Week 4 (September 9)
In Anatomy we began with a quiz and going over our homework from last week. Then we completed some stations looking at both cells and the microbiome. Station 1 gave us some more information on the mystery disease and its effect on neurons. Station 2 was a look at different types of bacteria through microscopes. Station 3 gave us a chance to be creative and learn about good types of bacteria in our microbiome, turning them into superheroes. And Station 4 gave us a peek into this week’s topic- the structure and function of the cell. See the link below to see the slides that guided our class.
Anatomy Week 5 (September 16)
In Anatomy this week we read some articles on lead poisoning, mold, and asbestos and made a decision about the culprit of the mystery disease- which ended up being lead poisoning. We discussed the reasons why and moved on to take some notes on cells and organelles. Then students had the chance to model a cell and its processes using cookies and candy ingredients. One group modeled a cell, one modeled the cell processes of active and passive transport, one modeled transcription and translation, and one modeled cell division. We walked around to look at each other’s work, and then ate a bit. 🙂 We will have. test over these first four chapters next Monday. Don’t forget to check over your homework! The slides that guided our class (with the answers to the homework) can be found here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1FCS1rT3HxHVuCc0NI9oW9QDzaqL3DItpxB5ZXgzY4qI/edit?usp=sharing
Anatomy Week 6 (September 23)
This week in anatomy we reviewed a bit and then took our test over chapters 1-4. Homework for the week is below. As we move into a deeper look into what connects our body and gives it support and movement, we will begin with tissues! We will also have a new “patient” with new symptoms for us to consider. The slides that guided our class can be found here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/10XmLjvWuuXllIuDrX1uKM_ddS_xFfKY8f0d7R5Qa3gA/edit?usp=drive_link
Anatomy Week 7 (September 30)
This week in anatomy we watched a video on stem cells as I checked over homework, and then we learned of a new patient with a new malady. We recorded relevant information and brainstormed questions to ask and tests to conduct to find more information. We continued by taking some notes and reviewing the homework for chapter 5 on tissues. We then began a stations activity where we attempted to sort tissues into their correct categories and also drew different types of tissues that we saw under the microscope. We will finish this up next week. Here are the slides that guided our class: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/15MOykk3UKjTHKv25kef8ezh2WA0nMyT2zm1-XKGXmNI/edit?usp=sharing
Anatomy Week 8 (October 7)
Today in anatomy we finished up our tissue station activity. We went on to look at more data from our patient’s disease and looked at a few possible skin diseases that led us to more questions about John’s sickness. We went over notes on the integumentary system and began plans on an in class project. No class next week due to fall break. Homework involves filling in an organizer as you will be read through 2 chapters on the skeletal system. These are the slides that guided class: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1pp-MF2U2YHOAkEhPNChWOkiweIiluxrmB1GntGey5Ck/edit?usp=sharing
Anatomy Week 9 (October 21)
This week in anatomy we took a quick open note quiz on tissues and integumentary. We spent time working on our project and in small groups we went over our homework and notes on the skeletal system using models to help! The slides that guided our class can be found here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/14aYAuEh8XYN46Ojwsd6g0QLo_lHoKCvKesApl-WGgAk/edit?usp=sharing
Anatomy Week 10 (October 28)
This week in anatomy we revisited our case study of the patient with the lump on his neck. We took a look at various possibilities such as bone spurs, bone cysts, muscle knots, and cancer to see if we could figure out what might match his symptoms and the data from the doctor. We were able to draw a conclusion, and students will write an essay this week defending that the sarcoma is indeed what is causing the disease. We worked on our projects for the remainder of class and that will be due November 11. Here are the slides that guided our class: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1SwDUrtMoA6p6LSlBG-9tcaNnXllanGfhv4aKoEortKs/edit?usp=sharing
Anatomy Week 11 (November 4)
This week in anatomy we went through our notes on joints and muscles, highlighting with a video clip the sliding filament model of a muscle and doing a muscle activity together to illustrate lactic acid anaerobic respiration. Then we went through some stations to hit on each of the systems we have been looking at (integumentary, skeletal, and muscular) and had small group time with me as well to ask questions and think through mnemonic devices to help remember our terms on our study guide. I am including the study guide here with some of my personal notes on how to remember things. Here are the slides that guided our class: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1b2LWock1DSIqSRtqDss0KNKhRoXEF8GZ7O8lq5m4bDA/edit?usp=sharing
Anatomy Week 12 (November 11)
This week in anatomy we had some time to review and then took our test on chapters 5-10, which covered tissues, the integumentary system, the skeletal system, and the muscular system. Then we had a chance to look at each others’ projects. The slides that guided our class can be found here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/14kwHT_8d9PO3lEdleLfHAfYXNxchVSWMyv1c-DuEfNI/edit?usp=sharing
Anatomy Week 13 (November 12)
This week in anatomy we took notes on the nervous system, looking at the structure and function of the cells, tissues, and organs that make it up. We paused these notes to dissect a sheep brain. We attempted to identify different parts and layers of the brain and look at the function that these have. We will finish our notes on the brain next week! These are the slides that guided our class: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1fxWCj3ctVpF219Uw19QLa2veScm75cwaCgrRoXW7phA/edit?usp=sharing
Anatomy Week 14 (December 2)
This week in anatomy we took notes on the rest of the nervous system including the brain and sensory organs. Then we had a chance to dissect a sheep eye and observe its parts- comparing it to that of a human. Homework this week is filling in a chart on the endocrine system and reviewing the nervous system. We will also try our hand at diagnosing a mystery disease by using symptoms to guide us. These are the slides that guided our class: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1gbv3Yqwy7StXB0pK7B2Be_hiz_Mj-_wvYFGeKboBltU/edit?usp=sharing
Anatomy Week 15 (December 9)
This week in anatomy students shared their findings of what caused the symptoms of bulging eyes. We learned more about this disease of the endocrine system, Grave’s disease. We finished up some notes on the eye, discussed some of the diseases that can result from too much or too little of different neurotransmitters, and moved on to discussing the different glands and hormones of the endocrine system. Students had the opportunity to hold a sort of debate about which gland was in fact the most important and prepare a little speech to defend their position. It was quite a lively debate and I think that we can safely say that all of the glands are quite important and that it is clear that the glands, just like the systems of the body, are interdependent. The slides that guided our class can be found here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1J9ivhUOSRs6ROiYyynYbDKJkaPc8NHHbiM8B7X3Xsy4/edit?usp=sharing
Anatomy Week 16 (December 16)
This week we took our last test on chapters 11-13 and celebrated with some brownie baked goods in the shape of a human body. Have a great Christmas break!
Anatomy Week 17 (January 6)
This week in anatomy we had a guest speaker! Dr. James Pirkle, who was the director for the Center for Environmental Health at CDC for many, many years, came and talked to us about one of their latest cases, and a few other public health cases that he dealt with over the years. After this, we took a look at a mystery disorder and brainstormed questions to ask and tests to run to gather more information. This week we will shift our study to the circulatory system! Here are the slides that guided our class: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1oSmXkkyBvyy5DCT4q7BVtQbP6-ikIcZlr8aVqOdAQic/edit?usp=sharing.
Anatomy Week 18 (January 13)
This week in anatomy we jumped back into our mystery disorder, learning more about the patient’s history and the results of different medical tests run. By looking at photo of a sample of the blood, we discovered that she had sickle cell anemia. We will dive into this disorder further this unit, as there are more puzzles to uncover about how this disease works. From there we took some notes on the components and function of blood, and then rotated through some stations where we practiced using a stethoscope, modeled blood typing, gathered more information about sickle cell, and took a look at blood smear samples through the microscope, practicing looking at it through different powered lenses. Here are the slides that guided our class: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Eyqx5UQDdyxARPAbuRetz2LB8MfMrDkMzWjKgyMvM7o/edit?usp=sharing
Anatomy Week 19 (January 27)
This week in anatomy we took a deeper look at sickle cell anemia, and discovered that it and malaria seem to have some sort of connection. We will dive deeper into this mystery next week! We got to dissect a sheep heart to look more closely at the chambers and the valves, and then took some time to go over our notes with a few accompanying activities along the way. The slides that guided our class are here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1OUbWqdsS5xZDydA454o3CZEZoRGKkLZqNah5eAwSYFA/edit?usp=sharing
Anatomy Week 20 (February 3)
This week in anatomy we finished going over some of our circulatory system notes. We took an open note quiz on the blood, heart, and circulatory system and then revisited our patient’s sickle cell predicament. We discovered the connection between sickle cell and malaria. We went on to do some activities modeling diffusion, an important process happening in our capillaries. We noted perfume diffusing across the room, modeled diffusion across a membrane by seeing iodine diffuse across a sandwich bag and react with corn starch, and also modeled the 1 way direction of the lymphatic system. We continued by taking some notes on the lymphatic system and will continue next week on the immune system! These are the slides that guided class: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1z_Pd2olNW2vtW0-1vHaIKZsvC7ZatqXGSfv6bsiBqcs/edit?usp=sharing
Anatomy Week 21 (February 10)
In anatomy this week we turned in our essays and took some notes on the immune system. We continued by completing a simulation about bacterial resistance and how that is affected by completing (or not completing) a course of antibiotics. We took some time to review for our test which will be in two weeks! The slides that guided our class are here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1QhJjqlPU78fYxyZ3hy9TePys8V9rco5co8YNjcobgjM/edit?usp=sharing
Anatomy Week 22 (February 24)
This week in anatomy we took our test over chapters 14-17. The slides that guided our class are here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/15PqCm7KYHiRjBail15-xtv3zj3tLHCMcp4zjuVC9nJI/edit?usp=sharing
Anatomy Week 23 (March 3)
This week in anatomy we were introduced to a mystery disease of an elderly person. We discussed her symptoms and brainstormed questions to ask and tests to run. Then we went over some notes on the respiratory system, including some videos showing real live lungs, one that is healthy, and one that is damaged by smoking. We also saw some clips with information on asthma and CPR. After this we completed a lab simulation discovering the relationship between volume and pressure, as these two factors majorly impact how we inhale and exhale. I hope to bring in a lung model next week, as one group’s attempts at this in class didn’t produce desired results. But we did learn some things along the way that might help. The slides that guided our class can be found here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/15KHWQ2Vgpetga68YQEJuQd3f_npUBiPsoAlARnAimHk/edit?usp=sharing
Anatomy Week 24 (March 10)
This week in anatomy we warmed up with some questions on the respiratory system and finished our notes on that. Then we read about 4 different possible disease that could be what is happening to our patient: UTI, bronchitis, respiratory tract infection, and gut dysbiosis. We considered how well each of these diseases fit the symptoms and circumstances, and we will revisit this next week to see if we can find out what is happening. We went on to take notes on the urinary system and do a dissection of a sheep kidney to take a closer look at its structure. We began an egg lab that we will continue next week. We measured the mass of 3 eggs whose shell had been dissolved in vinegar. We will put 1 egg in vinegar again, 1 egg in water, and 1 egg in corn syrup to see if there is any change in mass that would reflect osmosis happening (a process very prevalent in the kidney). We finished with a video clip about kidney stones. The slides that guided our class can be found here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1z7EpGMa4OdkpLHELwFy2QG7bVtSK6rS8hFL8RShJTwk/edit?usp=sharing
Anatomy Week 25 (March 17)
Today in anatomy we began with some warm up questions on the respiratory and urinary systems. We finished up our diagnosis on our patient and then took some notes on the fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance in the body. We finished up with completing stations: one with a video clip on dialysis, one to measure electrolytes in different beverages, one to measure that masses of eggs which have undergone osmosis, and a last drawing samples from a kidney that we observed through a microscope. We will have a test over chapters 18-20 (respiratory system, urinary system, and fluid electrolyte balance) next Monday. Here are the slides that guided our class: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1daG5ONl2hlWE-6BbTfWNfDZCNg_gMtd3Rrhxo04H4pM/edit?usp=sharing
Anatomy Week 26 (March 24)
Today in anatomy we took our test on chapters 18-20: the respiratory and urinary systems, as well as fluid and pH balance. Homework for next week is over the digestive system. These are the slides that guided our class: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1BCYQcIadyxfIC3bWy7ydPW63r3cJot0z8RS1vMZ-bAs/edit?usp=sharing
Anatomy Week 27 (March 31)
Today in anatomy we started with a video that took a camera all the way through the digestive tract. We started our last case study of a girl experiencing a mysterious sickness and found clues, possible organisms, and even considered a first suspect of what might have been the cause. We took notes on the first part of the digestive system and then went into doing some stations. One station was reviewing the path of the digestive tract with our model, another was comparing chemical digestion to mechanical digestion and reading about the digestive system illness, diverticulitis. Another station involved observing the effect of coffee, pickle juice, and coke on egg shell. This modeled how these substances can affect our teeth enamel. We brushed a portion of the egg shell to remove the stain and also measured the pH of each substance. The last station was a video about how bloating happens in the digestive system. These are the slides that guided our class: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/15mtgtd3hWfQaXVwM057pFoZN_VLhIQ-kjG9ZN1nv5Mk/edit?usp=sharing