Something fun for those who check the blog

Check out this fun, and educational video clip:

Pinky and the Brain Present a Lesson on Brain Anatomy

Cardiac Cycles

Today in class we:
Discussed the electrical and mechanical conductions of the heart:
- Electrical impulses conducted through specialized tissues or nodes from SA node through the AV node, Bundle of His, Left and Right Bundle branches, Purkinje fibers
- Mechanical contraction of the heart, or cardiac cycle, is produced from alternating systole and diastole contractions of the atria and ventricles. This rhythms are influenced by electrical impulses and changes in chamber pressure.

Homework: due Tuesday
Cardiac Review questions handout

Cardiovascular System

Today in class we:
- Developed grade goals for 4th quarter
- Discussed the anatomy of the heart: right and left atria, right and left ventricles, aorta, vena cava, pulmonary trunk.

March 10-14

Brain Quest 3/14
Today in class we worked on a Brain Quest in the computer lab. The brain quest is your final assessment for the nervous system unit. It is due to me, typed, by Friday, March 28th. You may submit your work via email. See sidebar for copy of BrainQuest

Frontline: The Medicated Child 3/12:
Today in class we viewed the January 8, 2008 broadcast of Frontline's Medicated Child that investigates the diagnosis of bipolar disorder in children. Use the link to view the program online.

Sheep Brain Dissection 3/ 10:
- Reviewed tools and procedures for successful dissection
- Looked at external and internal structures of the cerebrum of a sheep's brain (see links for dissection powerpoint and note sheet)

Dr Sur. - Forensic Odontist

Today in class we had the honor of having Dr. Anthony Sur speak to the class about forensic dentistry.
For more information about forensics, see the following links:
- American Academy of Forensic Science
- Forensic Science

Nerve Synape

Today in class we:
- Reviewed the anatomy of a nerve synapse
- Discussed the action of neurotransmitters
- Presented on the effects of drugs on neurotransmitters

Homework:
- Brain anatomy prelab due Monday

Nervous System Quiz

Today in class we:
Took quiz on nervous system material
Watched Discovery Channel program: Biology of the Sexes: Different By Design

Nervous System - Impulse Conduction

Do Now:
Draw 3 boxes on a blank piece of paper. In one box draw a axon in resting potential, in the second box draw an axon that is depolarizing and in the third box draw a picture of an axon that is repolarizing.

Today in class we:
- Discussed how the action potential in one part of an axon is then conducted throughout the length of the axon
- Discussed features of the synapse and how impulses are transfered from one axon to another
- Discussed the role of neurotransmitters in nerve impulses

Activity:
- Students got into small groups. Each group got a general reading on neurotransmitters and how they are affected by drugs.
- Each group also received a reading for a specific drug.

- Due Tuesday:
Read and answer reading reflection questions on both the role of neurotransmitters and the affects of your specific drug on nervous system functions
Be prepared with your group to present on your specific drug

Nervous System - Action Potential

Do Now:
Draw a neuron. Include and label the following parts: dendrites, cell body, axon, schwann cells. Is your neuron unipolar, bipolar, or multipolar?

Today in class we:
- Discussed how action potentials are produced in a neuron
- Included discussion of resting potential, polarized state, depolarization, repolarization, refractory period
- Reviewed concepts with animation (see sidebar)

Nervous System

Today in class we:
Reviewed muscle system test
Began discussion of Nervous System: function, cell types, components of nervous system

Homework due Tuesday:
- Read Sections 9.1 and 9.2, complete the Check your Recalls at the end of each section

Muscle System Test

Today in class we tested on the muscle system

Wednesday: Come prepared to assemble your lab posters and prepare for presentations

Friday: Lab group presentations

Muscle Fatigue Lab and Muscle System Review

Today in class we:
- Finished all data collection for muscle fatigue labs
- Reviewed the muscle system for test on Monday
- See Online Resources for additional review materials
- See Assignments for assigned review sheet - due Monday
- Study session Monday at lunch in Rm 411


Next week:
Monday: Muscle System Test
Wednesday: Muscle Fatigue group presentations

Muscle Stimulus and Action

Do Now:
Define a muscle twitch
Differentiate between slow and fast muscle twitch

Today in class we:
Reviewed ideas of twitch, summation, recruitment, and sustained contraction
Discussed how muscles act in groups in terms of insertion and origin and prime mover, synergists, and antagonist muscles

Homework:
-Muscle System Review due Monday at exam time - come prepared for review session on Thursday by identifying areas that you want to review
-Be prepared on Thursday to finish your data collection in class
- Muscle Fatigue Lab due in full on Wednesday 2/13, presentations

Muscle Fatigue Lab

Do Now:
Describe the difference between isometric and isotonic muscle contractions.

Today in class we:
discussed muscular responses: threshold stimulus, and summation (see power point on side bar)
conducted muscle fatigue labs in partner groups

Muscle Fatigue Lab Set Up

Today in class we reviewed the requirements for the muscle fatigue lab, set up our labs, and conducted experiments on group members.

For Friday:
Be ready to conduct your experiments on classmates and collect data

Muscle Fatigue Lab Design Prep

Today in class we:
Discussed the difference between isometric and isotonic muscle contraction

Worked on lab design in the computer lab

Homework due Wednesday
Read 8.4 pg 177 - 180: Check Your Recall pg 180
Read 8.7 pg 182 -184: Check Your Recall pg 184

Bring all materials needed for set up of your experiment on Wednesday, be prepared to set up your experiment and do preliminary tests.

Muscle Fatigue Lab Design Intro

Today in class we:
- Brainstormed in our lab groups about the following questions: 1) What is muscle fatigue? 2) WHat do muscles require to contract? 3) What factors influence the rate of muscle fatigue? 4) How can we measure these factors?

- Introduced Muscle Fatigue Design Lab

Physiology of a Muscle Contraction

Today in class we:
Discussed the following topics of muscle contractions (see powerpoint link to download lecture)
- Role of acetylcholine and Ca+ in muscle contractions
- Methods of muscle cells in obtaining energy
- Oxygen debt and muscle fatigue
Performed muscle fatigue introduction lab
- graphed personal, partner, and class average data

Homework:
Study of muscles in space reading and review due Wednesday

Muscle Quiz 1

Today in class we:
- Reviewed anatomy of skeletal muscles and muscle fibers
- Reviewed the structure and function of neuromuscular junctions
- Took Muscle quiz 1

Homework:
Due Tuesday 1/22: Reading and Review: NASA Research on Muscle Wasting in Space

Contraction of Skeletal Muscle Tissue

Do Now:
Draw a bisected muscle segment and include the following components:
Endomysium, Perimysium, Epimysium, Fasicles, Fibers, Tendon, Bone

Today in class we:
- Discussed the anatomy of a muscle fiber
- Discussed the roles of myosin and actin in muscle contraction
- Discussed the connection between muscles and nerves
- Discussed the sliding filament model of muscle contraction

Homework:
Read pgs 172 - 175
Complete CYR exercises on bottom of pg 172 and top of 175

STUDY FOR QUIZ ON WEDNESDAY!