The Circulatory System

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The Circulatory System is the transportation system for the body. The Circulatory System is responsible for the flow of blood. The function of the Circulatory System is to deliver chemicals to points in different parts of the body. More specifically, the Circulatory System permits blood to circulate and deliver nutrient molecules, oxygen and other gases, as well as hormones to and from cells. Along with removal of carbon dioxide, ammonia, and other metabolic wastes. 

The major organs of the Circulatory System are:

Heart: The purpose of the Heart is to pump blood throughout the body. This function supplies oxygen and nutrients to the tissues. As well as, removes carbon dioxide and other wastes.

Arteries: Arteries carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the tissues. However, pulmonary Arteries carry blood to the Lungs to be oxygenated.

Veins: After arteries carry blood out, the Veins are responsible for carrying this deoxygenated blood back to the heart. 

Although the Circulatory System touches all of the systems of the body in a way, this system mainly works with the Respiratory System, the Digestive System, the Endocrine System, and the Urinary System. The Circulatory System interacts with the Respiratory System to supply the body with oxygen and nutrients. The Circulatory System interacts with the Digestive System to get the absorbed nutrients distributed throughout the body. In addition, the Circulatory System carries chemical signals from the Endocrine System that control the speed of digestion. This example also proves one way the Circulatory System interacts with the Endocrine System as well. The Circulatory System is the transport system for endocrine information. As the endocrine chemicals and hormones must circulate through the body via blood vessels, the Circulatory System transports hormones (produced by the Endocrine System) through blood. Lastly, the Circulatory System works with the Urinary System because the Urinary System cleans the blood in the Circulatory System. Also, when blood travels back to the heart, it passes through the kidneys in the Urinary System. 

Analogy

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The Circulatory System resembles a UPS or delivery service for the body because:

• it delivers items to and from various places
• it carry and deliver items through transportation systems and pathways

The Circulatory System is like a UPS or delivery service for the body because both deliver items to and from various places. The Circulatory System delivers chemicals, such nutrient molecules, oxygen and other gases, and hormones to and from various parts of the body. These places include the heart, the lungs, different types of cells, and tissues. This is like how a UPS  or delivery service delivers goods to and from homes, stores, buildings, and factories. Another reason the circulatory system is like a UPS or delivery service for the body is that both carry items through transportation systems and pathways. The Circulatory System carry and deliver nutrients, oxygen and other gases, and hormones through red blood cells, arteries, and veins like how a UPS or delivery service carry and deliver different goods through trucks and streets/roads. 

Structure and Function

The structure of Arteries and Veins are very similar. Arteries and Veins both consist of the same three main layers. These layers are tunica intima, tunica media, and tunica enterna or tunica adventitia. The innermost layer of both Arteries and Veins is tunica intima. The middle layer of both Arteries and Veins is tunica media and the outermost layer of both Arteries and Veins is tunica enterna or tunica adventitia. In addition, both organs are shaped like thin or skinny pathways that are located throughout the body. I believe that because these organs are shaped like pathways, it is the reason they are responsible for carrying and delivering chemicals. Also, because both organs are located throughout the body, they can deliver chemicals and items to and from various parts of the body.

Sources:

http://www.biology4kids.com/files/systems_circulatory.html
http://www.livescience.com/27585-human-body-system-circulation-infographic.html

The Muscular System

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The function of the Muscular System is providing movement of the body. The muscles do this by contracting and moving the bones. The Muscular System is responsible for pretty much all movement of the body. This including the movement of your legs when walking, or the beating of the heart which pumps blood throughout the body.

There are three major organs or types of muscle that are apart of the Muscular System:

Smooth Muscle: The function of Smooth Muscle is to help food pass through the Digestive System and push food up into the esophagus in situations of vomiting. In addition, Smooth Muscle helps to push urine out of the body. In cases when women are giving birth, Smooth Muscle help push the baby out of the body. Smooth Muscle also affect the diameter of blood vessels.

Cardiac Muscle: The function of Cardiac Muscle is contraction to cause the heart to beat. This action causes the heart to pump blood to blood vessels throughout the body.

Skeletal Muscle: The function of Skeletal Muscle is support and movement. Skeletal Muscle move the body by contracting and pulling on the tendons, which are connected to bones. Skeletal Muscle support organs and shield internal tissues. In addition, Skeletal Muscle maintain posture, body position, and body temperature. Skeletal Muscle also breakdown proteins. 

The Muscular System works with the Nervous System, Digestive System, Circulatory System, and the Lymph System. The Muscular System works with the Nervous System because of obvious reasons. You usually have to think before you move. Even if thinking is not involved, the neurons of the Nervous System are connected to most of the cells in the Muscular System. The Muscular System interacts with the Circulatory System and Lymph System because Smooth Muscle surround these systems. In addition, because Smooth Muscle of the Muscular System also line the Digestive System, it helps move food through the intestines. 

Analogy

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The Muscular System is like an assembly line because:

• if something, usually a component, lacks or doesn't function properly nothing else can do their job
• these systems are controlled by a single authority

The Muscular System is like an assembly line because if something lacks or messes up nothing of the system can do their job properly. This applies to the Muscular System because if one of the muscles doesn't function properly, the movement of the body won't come through. This situation is like how if a worker in the assembly line lacks, the rest of the assembly line can't do their job. In addition, the Muscular System is like an assembly line because both are controlled by a single authority or boss to do a certain job. In this case, the Muscular System is controlled by the brain of the Nervous System to perform a specific movement of the body just like how the assembly line is controlled by one company to create a certain product.

Structure and Function

Unlike Smooth Muscle, Skeletal Muscle have a striated appearance. Myofibrils are any of the elongated contractile threads found in striated muscle cells. Myofibrils are composed of actin and myosin filaments, repeated in units called sarcomeres. These sacromeres are the basic functional units of the muscle fiber. The sarcomere is responsible for the striated appearance of skeletal muscle. In addition, sacromeres also form the basic machinery necessary for muscle contraction. Knowing this information, I believe that because Skeletal Muscle contain sacromeres and have a striated appearance, they are responsible for muscle contraction.

Sources:

http://www.biology4kids.com/files/systems_muscular.html

http://www.livestrong.com/article/93790-organs-make-up-muscular-system/

The Digestive System

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The function of the Digestive System is digestion and absorption. The Digestive System breaks down food into small molecules, which are then absorbed into the body. In addition, after this process, the leftover food that isn't digested gets all of the water absorbed from it and then the remaining useless material, is eliminated from the body.

The major organs in the Digestive System are:

Esophagus: The purpose of the Esophagus is to carry food, liquids, and saliva from the mouth to the stomach.

Stomach: The main function of the Stomach is to break down and digest food. This has to happen in order for the necessary nutrients to be extracted from the consumed food. In addition, the Stomach plays a part in producing various enzymes. These enzymes include pepsin and acid.

Small Intestine: The major function of the Small Intestine is to absorb nutrients and minerals from the digested food. The Small Intestine absorbs the nutrients and minerals into the blood stream.

Large Intestine: The Large Intestine absorbs water from the remaining, undigested food and transmits or sends out the useless leftover waste from the body.

The Digestive System works with the Circulatory System and the Excretory System. The Digestive System works with the Circulatory System to get the absorbed nutrients that the Digestive System broke down, distributed throughout the body. In addition, the Circulatory helps the Digestive System by carrying chemical signals from the Endocrine System that control the speed of digestion. The Digestive System works with the Excretory System to control the amount of water in the body. As the Digestive System collects and gets rid of undigested material, the Excretory System filters compounds from the blood stream and then gathers them in urine.

Analogy

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The esophagus of the Digestive System is like a river because:

• it acts as a pathway
• it links to areas together
• it carries and moves material from one place to another

The esophagus is like a river because both act as pathways that carry and move material from one place to another. The esophagus carries the food from the mouth to the stomach just as a river brings water from lakes to oceans. Also, the esophagus links the mouth to the stomach just like how a river links a lake to an ocean.

Structure and Function

The main function of the mouth is to chew food to break it down into pieces that are more easy for the body to digest. The mouth contains the structures of teeth, tongue, tonsils, and salivary glands. These structures assist in performing the mouth's functions. I believe that because all of these structures are present in the mouth, it is the reason the mouth can break down food easily. Because teeth are present in the mouth, it helps make breaking down food much easier because of chewing. In addition, I believe that because salivary glands are inside the mouth, it helps mix saliva with the broken down food which makes digesting the material easier.

Sources:
www.biology4kids.com/files/systems_digestive.html

http://kidshealth.org/en/kids/digestive-system.html

The Skeletal System

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The two main function of the Skeletal System is to protect and support the body of organisms. The Skeletal System allows the body to move, the bones of the skeletal system create a framework to which the body's muscles and organs can connect. The Skeletal System protects vital organs of the body, including the brain, the thorax, the heart, the lungs, etc. In addition the bone marrow in the Skeletal System produces blood cells. 

The major organs of the Skeletal System are:

Bones: The entire framework of the body is made up of bones. Bones protect internal organs and assist in movement of the body.

Ligaments: Ligaments connect one bone to another bone forming a joint. The main function of the ligament is to prevent movement that might damage a joint. 

Tendons: The tendon is a connective tissue that joins or attaches muscle to bone. When a muscle contracts to move a joint, it is the tendon which pulls on the bone.

Cartilages: Cartilage is a firm, yet flexible connective tissue that is found in many parts of the body. The main function of the cartilage is to connect bones together.

Joints: The point at which two or more bones meet is called a joint or articulation. Joints are responsible for vast ranges of movement and provides stability.

The Skeletal System works with the Muscular System and the Circulatory System. The Skeletal System works very closely with the Muscular System to help the body move. Muscles attach to the skeleton and they tense to move the skeleton. As the ligaments and bones of the Skeletal System work together, it makes the process of movement happen more smoothly. The bones of the Skeletal System work with the Circulatory System by producing red and white blood cells in the bone marrow. These blood cells are necessary to protect against viruses and provide oxygen, as well as dispose of waste from all the cells in the body.

Analogy:

The Skeletal System resembles a tent because:

• it protects what is inside the structure
• provides a secure and dependable formation
• it forms the shape of the structure

The bones of the Skeletal System are like the poles because both join together to provide a strong structure or formation. In addition, the ligaments of the Skeletal System are the connective pipes in which connects or attaches the poles together.

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Structure and Function:

The main function of the cartilage is to connect or attach bones together. The cartilage is a firm and flexible, connective tissue. I imagine that because the cartilage is flexible, that is why it allows for pliable movement. Also, because the cartilage is smooth, it allows for easy gliding between joints. In addition, because cartilage is very strong, it provides stability and support.

Sources:

www.biology4kids.com/files/systems_skeletal.html

http://www.newhealthadvisor.com/Skeletal-System-Organs.html

Cell Division Cycle 10/16

The cell division is the series of events that take place in a cell leading to its division and duplication of its DNA (DNA replication) to produce two daughter cells. This cycle results into two daughter cells having the same genetic material. The process of this cycle has three main phases, Interphase, Mitosis, and Cytokinesis. However, Mitosis is usually split up into four different phases which add up to a total of six different phases all together. The different phases are Interphase, Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase, and Cytokinesis. In the first phase, preparation for Mitosis, or the division of the cell is made. In Interphase, the cell grows and matures and the cell located in the chromatin, is duplicated. In the second phase of the cell cycle and the first phase of mitosis, Prophase, the chromatin condenses to form chromosomes. In the third phase of the cell cycle and the second phase of mitosis, Metaphase, the spindle fibers pull the chromosomes, stretching them into a line. In the next phase, Anaphase, the spindle fibers split the centromeres and chromotids to opposite sides. Then in the fifth phase of the cycle and the last phase of mitosis, Telophase, a nuclear membrane forms around both cells and chromosomes unwind. Finally to complete the process, in Cytokinesis, the sides pinch in dividing the cytoplasm.

S&EP - SP7: Engaging in argument from evidence

I used evidence to defend my explanation. I answered a packet of questions about the cell cycle and cell division providing the information I got from investigating the Gizmo as evidence. I formulated evidence based on solid data when I stated that in the step of Interphase, the cell gets ready for Mitosis using the information on how the cell grows, matures, and the cell located in the chromatin is duplicated in Interphase, as evidence. I examined my own understanding in light of the evidence. I used to think that when a cell grows too big it splits, but because of having the discussion in class and investigating the Gizmo now I think that cell division happens continuously to replace cells. I collaborated with my peers in searching for the best explanation. I did some research on how cells divide which I discussed with my learning partner who was working on the packet with me. Together we figured out what happens in each phase of the Cell Cycle.

XCC: Patterns
The pattern that I studied this week was the Cell Cycle. I consider the Cell Cycle a pattern because it is a series of repeating events. In the Cell Cycle, the cell grows and matures and divides into daughter cells that have the same genetic material. To complete this, the cell goes through six different phases, Interphase, Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase, and Cytokinesis. The cells repeats this cycle continuously, to replace dead cells. One prediction I can make about this pattern is that if a malfunction were to happen, it would create great problems with the organism's body and health. This information can help me "take over the world" by giving me some very detailed information on how a cell divides. This knowledge could help me if I choose to specialize in a job that is related to cells.

Diffusion 10/9

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 Have you ever wondered how a smell can travel through the room? Like how the smell of your mother's homemade cookies can travel from the kitchen to your room. This happens because of Diffusion. Diffusion is the movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. Osmosis is a type of Diffusion. Osmosis is the movement of water from an area of high concentration of water to an area of low concentration of water. Osmosis has has different types as well. The three types of Osmosis are Isotonic, Hypotonic, and Hypertonic. Isotonic happens if the concentration solute is equal on both sides. In this situation, the solvent will move back an forth, but the amounts will stay the same. Hypotonic happens when there are less solute molecules outside of the cell. In this situation, the solvent will move inside the cell. Hypertonic happens when there is more solute molecules outside of the cell. In this case, water will move out of the cell. Now we know the definitions, but you may be thinking, what does solute and solvent even mean? Solute is the solid part of a solution, such as salt. Solvent is the liquid part of a solution, such as water.

S&EP - SP3: Planning and carrying out investigations

I identified questions to be investigated when I asked if the red Gatorade (solvent) would make the egg Isotonic, Hypotonic, or Hypertonic. I identified my variables and controls. The manipulated variable was the solvent the egg would sit in overnight. The responding variable was that in response of sitting in the solvent overnight, the size and weight of the egg will change. Lastly, the controlled variables or controls were the size of the container, the amount of solvent, and the time the egg had been soaking in the solvent. I designed and performed experiments to test my hypotheses. I thought that the situation would be hypertonic and that the egg would shrink, the water would move out of the egg, and proved this hypothesis by giving evidence saying that the red Gatorade (solvent) had more solute than the egg. I decided to collect information on the weight of the egg, the steps we took, and what we noticed and observed (data). I also chose to control how much solvent the egg would soak in overnight because the amounts of solvent or all of the eggs need to be the same in order for the experiment to work properly. I refined my experiment when the data I obtained did not answer the question, when my group popped the egg to see if any solvent entered the egg.

XCC: Scale, proportion, and quantity
Diffusion and Osmosis is affected by proportion because the amount of solvent and solute determines what type of Osmosis the situation is. When the concentration of solute is equal on both sides of the situation, it is Isotonic. In this case, the solvent will move back and forth but the amounts of solute to solvent won't change. When there is less solute in one side of the situation, it is Hypotonic. In this case, the solvent will move from the side with less solute to the other side of the situation. When there is more solute on one side of the situation, it is Hypertonic. In this case, the solvent from the other side of the situation will move to the side with more solute. The different amounts of solute and solvent of a situation determines what type of Osmosis the situation is. Understanding scales and proportions can help me "take over the world" by giving me some specific information about how different proportions can affect things in a certain way. This information can help me in the future, especially if I choose to specialize in a career that deals with scales and proportions.

Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration 10/2

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Photosynthesis is the process that converts sunlight into radiant energy, which is then transformed into chemical energy the plant can use. This process takes place in the chloroplast of the cell. Cellular Respiration is the process that produces energy. This process takes place in the cytoplasm of the cell and the mitochondria. The process of Photosynthesis converts water and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen. The process of Cellular Respiration converts glucose and oxygen into water and carbon dioxide. The chemicals that are converted are called reactants and the chemicals that are what the previous chemicals were converted into, are called products. This means that the reactants of Photosynthesis are carbon dioxide and water. and the reactants of Cellular Respiration are glucose and oxygen. This also means that the products of Photosynthesis are glucose and oxygen, and the products of Cellular Respiration are carbon dioxide and water. Now that we know what these two processes are, how are they related? Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration are related because they depend on each other to convert their reactants. In addition, they are related because their processes involve the same chemicals. These chemicals are glucose, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water.

S&EP - SP7: Engaging in argument from evidence

I used evidence to defend my explanation. I answered a packet of questions about the cell's energy cycle providing the information I discovered using the Gizmo as evidence. I formulated evidence based on solid data when I stated that the reactants of photosynthesis are water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2), the products of photosynthesis are glucose (C6 H12 O6) and oxygen (O2), the reactants of Cellular Respiration are glucose and oxygen, and the products of Cellular Respiration are water and carbon dioxide, using the newfound information I discovered from the Gizmo as evidence. I examined my own understanding in light of the evidence. I used to think that the reactants of photosynthesis were glucose and oxygen, but because of exploring the Gizmo, now I think that glucose and oxygen are the products of Photosynthesis and that the reactants are water and carbon dioxide. I collaborated with my peers in searching for the best explanation. I did some research on the processes of Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration which I discussed with my learning partner. Together we figured out specific details about the cell's energy cycle.

XCC: Energy and Matter
Photosynthesis is related to energy because the process of Photosynthesis converts sunlight into energy. The specific form of energy that is produced in Photosynthesis is radiant energy. Cellular Respiration is related to energy because in this process, glucose is split into two pyruvic acids which produces a bit of energy. Then, when these pyruvic acids react with oxygen, energy is produced along with carbon dioxide and water. Photosynthesis is related to matter because the chemicals that are the reactants and products of Photosynthesis are made up of matter and atoms. This relation also goes for Cellular Respiration because the chemicals that are involved with the process (reactants and products), are made up of matter and atoms. Understanding the interaction of energy and matter and the processes of Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration could help me "take over the world" by giving me specific information of the processes that could help me with specializing a career in the future.