Unit 4 Reflection

Unit 4 Reflection

         In this unit, the themes include how the body protects itself either with the physical or molecular components of the body. First, we started with the integumentary system and its basic functions; to protect the body from mechanical, chemical, thermal, and bacterial damage, ultraviolet radiation, and desiccation(drying out). it aids the body in  heat loss and the excretion of urea and uric acid. Starting off with the first and most outer structure of the skin is the epidermis which  is made up of squamous epithelium and has 5 layers called strata. This area does not have a blood stream of its own, is made up of keratin cells, and contains melanin that gives us the color of our skin and when in sun, the melanin is stimulated to reproduce causing more pigment. The Dermis structure is made up of dense connective tissue and contains collagen along with elastin fibers that make the skin go back into place when pulled on (the elastic-ness is lost as people get older causing wrinkles or sagging). There are 2 layers of the dermis; papillary layer, which supports epidermis, nourishes pain receptors and makes fingerprints, and the Reticular layer, which contains blood vessels, sweat, and oil glands, and where follicles of hair and nails form. The last layer of the skin is the hypodermis that is the deepest layer and is made of subcutaneous tissue and absorbs shock and insulator cushion (not actually a part of the skin). Within the skin, there are glands called the appendages of skin. the Cutaneous gland contains the oil glands (sebum product), and the sweat gland. There are the ceruminous glands that are found in ears and secretes cerumen which is the wax found in ears. Hair and hair follicles are flexible epithelial tissue where the root and bulb have a sheath and connects to the muscle at a base called the pili. Burns to the skin can cause problems but there are three degrees; the first is not bad but can cause redness, the second can cause blistering and some damage, and third-degree burns are detrimental to one's heath and can kill a person.
         Next, we learned about the internal defense system; both specific and non-specific. For the non-Specific, the skin is the first layer or protection. other layers include mucus, epiglottis, urin flow, vomiting, tears, and saliva. They all have their different ways of protecting the body. The other aspect of the non-specific defense system is the inflammatory system; when there is harm done to the body, the permeability of blood vessels increase to get more blood flow so that the neuropils are able to help at a faster rate. anti-bodies and clot forming chemicals, cytokines are leaks from capillaries which causes the pain and swelling. Phagocytes will migrate and engulf the microbes that are infecting the body. The repair aspect includes the tissue debris and white blood cells. Fever inhibits microbial growth and speeds up body reactions for the infection to be cleared sooner. Next, includes the specific immunity where helper T cells that are matured in the thymus activate the cytotoxic T-cells that bind to the infected cells and destroy them while sending out cytokines to attract more T-cells. Then there are also B-Cells that secrete antibodies and plasma cells that also secrete antibodies to neutralize the antigen. Cancer is spread by cells that have no control over their limits or they go through mitosis incorrectly and have 2 nuclei. The cancer is sometimes unrecognizable and the immune system is unable to help cure the body. From the debate topics, mine was CRISPR and the one thing that was emphasized was the idea that the immune cells can be taken out and the genes to fight the cancerous cells.
         My strengths are in the immune system and the area that I need more time to actively study is the integumentary system. Usually, when I study I go through and fill out a study guide so that I can refresh my mind. Then afterward, I use a whiteboard to write and draw out all of the ideas and main concepts and everything that I now from it so that I can test what I know and don't know. From the debates, I learned that there is a long waiting list for the organ transplants and that there is unknowing of organ donors situations which make people hesitant to be a donor. Also from the debate, I want to learn more about the CRISPR and how it works rather than just the pros and cons about it.
         I know that I am a visual learner and I learn best by working out the graphs and diagrams that I am learning. Here are my results

• Visual 12
• Aural 8
• Read/Write 3
• Kinesthetic 12

         I am not surprised by these results and I already study using the tools that are accessible to me. The one tool that i could use more of is studying my labs and redoing the explanation of it and connecting the ideas to the rest of the themes. 

Work Cited: 

"School of Life Sciences | Ask A Biologist." B-Cells | ASU - Ask A Biologist. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2016. <https://askabiologist.asu.edu/b-cell>.

"Integumentary (Skin) System." DesiMD. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2016. <http://www.desimd.com/know-your-body/integumentary-skin-system>.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-07/crispr-gene-editing-technology-explainer/7217782