Three Questions! (October 26)

1. I have completed part of my coloring plates for the macroscopic anatomy of the Muscular System. I also took a quiz on the names in Anatomy. I also finished Chapter 4 in Calc. (with a hard test!), and took the ACT!

These two could potentially lift
the same amount of weight!

2. This week I learned all of the anterior/posterior muscle names! We also watched a VERY interesting video about muscles! There were examples of people who used their muscles to their full capacity in times of crisis. One of the examples was of a man who was hiking and had to lift a 1200 pound rock off his body! While doing this, all of his muscle cells contracted at one, lifting the rock, but tearing his muscles from the bone (painful!). It turns out we can all lift almost of a ton of weight, but we only use one third of our muscles capacity. This is because if we used more, we would use energy too quickly, overheating our body. 

3.This week I'm planning on learning the origin, insertion, and action of the muscles. I'm also going to keep working on the packets for the muscular system!


                                        Article: Superhuman Strength in Times of Crisis
                                              http://skeptoid.com/episodes/4255

Muscular guys image from http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/americas/article3546369.ece

Literacy Glog

Man with Smallpox

Yes! The Demon in the Freezer is everything I hoped it'd be. Preston writes in such a way that you can't help but just to be engrossed in the story. He even makes jokes about the characters  he really makes them come alive. I've learned from the book what exactly smallpox does to you and how it came about. It is a graphic process that makes you really feel bad for those who had to go through it. It makes you really feel grateful for the people who worked so hard to create a vaccine for smallpox.Those scientists used many methods to keep the smallpox from spreading. When a case was reported, the doctors and scientists would vaccinate up to 30,000 people that lived around the case (that's A LOT of people!). I also learned that there was a threat of a biological weapon when President Bush was in power. The threat was from the Soviet Union, and the U.S. was informed of this by British Intelligence. The eradication, and even threat of a biological weapon most definitely had an impact on history and science. No longer was it a major feat for science, the smallpox eradication 1979 saved many from pain and suffering. The threat from the Soviet Union prepared the United States to handle a weapon that can kill invisibly. It's almost scary to think that a weapon like that could be around without being known about!! I'm learning a lot and can't wait to finish!
                                                          Want to Know More?
                                                               Smallpox Facts
                            http://www.sdadefend.com/Health/Smallpox%20facts.htm

Man with Smallpox image from http://jakeandkims.blogspot.com/2010_07_01_archive.html

Three Questions! (October 19)

Newton!

1. Lately I have completed the Skeletal System section and test in anatomy, and discovered a band called Head of Femur. Also, I recently took the PSAT on Wednesday (whoo no more studying!)
2. This week I learned that you are born with the same amount of muscle cells that you have today, unless some have died. I also learned that we have a muscle called the Tensor Fasciae Latae in our leg! (cool name). In calculus, we now know how to use Newton's Method to find where a function crosses the y-axis without using a calculator!
3. This weekend and next week I plan to start the packets on origin/insertion and start memorizing the muscles for the quiz on Thursday. I also plan on doing Calc homework and reading more of Pride & Prejudice. 

Newton Image From http://herd.typepad.com/herd_the_hidden_truth_abo/2011/02/how-new-stuff-happens-random-drift-isaac-newton.html

Skeletal & Integumentary Systems

Skin

Skeleton 

The Skeletal and Integumentary system both protect the body. The Skeletal system protects the organs and other body parts by forming cages around them, like in the skull and the rib cage. The Integumentary system protects the body by killing bacteria by skin secretions, and warding off UV radiation by darkening (producing more melanin). The skin also contains pain and pressure receptors that let the brain know when a homeostatic response needs to be issued to maintain proper function. The Integumentary system even protects the Skeletal system from superficial damage, and also help aesthetically! Who would want to see all their bones and muscles without a covering? No one! Instead we see a smooth, beautiful surface.  These two systems give shape to our bodies, as well as protection, as mentioned earlier and are closely connected.

Skeleton Picture from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_skeleton
Skin Picture from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071129183833.htm