Pig Dissection Reflection

In this lab, we dissected a pig with the purpose of understanding its anatomy and physiology. The essential question to this unit was, “How is homeostasis demonstrated in each system?” This dissection showed us how in order for each system to function and be useful, they rely on homeostasis. This dissection was vital, as we were able to see each of the different organs and its placement, and thereby understand how each system depended on each other to maintain homeostasis, or balance in the body.

This lab was one of my favorites because it most directly applied the lessons we were learning in class. My favorite part of the dissection was dissecting the heart, because the circulatory system is one of the most interesting systems in the body. It is fairly complex and I was really only able to understand how the heart works by analyzing the pig’s heart, which is why I thought it was my favorite part.

This dissection was very valuable because I learned a lot. Not only did I learn about the various system I learned a lot about myself. I was able to apply my knowledge gained from this dissection to the human body. I started to understand how my entire body really just functions as a result of the blood going through the vena cava’s and then through the ventricle to pump to the lungs. Then the blood circulates back to the heart via the pulmonary vein in order to pump it back to the body to actually make the heart function. Before this dissection, I understood the intricacies of the rest of the systems except for the circulatory system, but after analyzing the heart by locating the vena cavas, the atriums, the ventricles, and the other aspects of the circulatory system, I was finally able to understand the circulatory which really gave me closure in this unit, which is why I considered this dissection a very valuable experience.

We made 2 videos: Day 1 and Day 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW1REKnDW6E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lWrsM2a2Ls

20 Time Reflection

For my 20-time project, I worked on improving the diagnostic test for Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), along with my partner Veda. I have been passionate about ADHD for a while now, mainly because so many people are affected by it as they are either misdiagnosed with ADHD, diagnosed properly but aren’t receiving proper treatment, or not diagnosed at all. So for my 20 time project, I wanted to address the most problematic aspect of ADHD — its diagnostic process.

ADHD patients rely on a survey, that is by no means comprehensive, that is completed by adults that regularly interact with the child. However, this method doesn’t allow the test to properly assess the brain composition of the child. ADHD patients have smaller brains, and specifically have smaller frontal lobes, temporal grey matter, caudate nucleus, and cerebellum.

Our initial was to create a test that would replace the current one and actually address the brain composition with a test for the child. I came into this project thinking that all we really had to do was just fix it. Fix the diagnosis. Fix ADHD. However, little did I know the vastness and magnitude project would have.

ADHD is such a complex disorder with little research and barely any awareness, which is what made it especially tough for us. The lack of information made it difficult to get the background information to do the test.

However, in the end, we were able to come up with an idea for a viable test that addresses the parts of the brain that are noticeably different from non-ADHD patients. Our idea includes testing memory, concentration, and reflexes through ways that aren’t difficult for doctors to embrace and use.

20 Time has been an immense learning experience for me. Although I learned a lot and truly enjoyed this experience, there were a few things that I wish I could have changed. ADHD has been a disorder that I have been extremely passionate about, and this project has been one that I have been thinking about doing for a long time, and I just wish I had done this project individually. After all, I was the primary contributor, as it was my idea, mostly my research, my hard work, and my passion that drove this project and got it to where it is today.

But, I was still able to really enjoy this experience. I have always had the mindset of not giving up, and this experience showed me the results of this. This experienced showed me how hard work will get you places. By not giving up, we were able to create an idea for a diagnostic test for ADHD.

Due to the deadline of 20 Time, we weren’t able to refine our idea and create our test. However, this project just made me more passionate about ADHD, and our idea made me extremely hopeful and excited about the future of ADHD research. I am definitely not done with my research on ADHD, and regarding this test, there is a long way to go, and I will definitely continue my work on ADHD. I want to spread awareness. I want to encourage others to work on ADHD.

I am very excited about ADHD research and I am even more excited about our project. Until there is a proper diagnosis, a cure, and until everyone knows about ADHD, my work will not be done. There is still a long way to go, but I am willing to go the distance.

For further information about our 20 Time project:
http://twentytimeadhd.blogspot.com/

Unit 9 Reflection

In this unit, we learned about how different organisms were classified. The levels of classification are Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.

After learning about these levels, we learned about the 3 domains, which are Bacteria, Eukaryotes, and Protists. We then went further into identifying key Phyla and Classes in each Kingdom, especially those within the Eukaryote domain.

This unit was fairly different than previous units, specifically regarding the teaching style. This unit allowed us to learn about the general topic through the vodcasts that were assigned for homework, but in addition, the “What on Earth Evolved?” presentation allowed us to apply our knowledge and research specific examples that have or had a major impact on our life.

My presentation was about viruses, and its major effect on civilization. Without viruses none of us would be here. In my opinion, my presentation went fairly well. Although I was a little nervous, I was still able to convey the information and get through it. This year, we hadn’t done many presentations in this class, so I enjoyed switching it up a little bit and getting the opportunity to be taught by others and to teach others something new.

This unit was fairly tough for me, because of the many minute details. This unit entailed both memorization, but also a strong understanding of the concepts. The main reason why this unit was one of my favorites was because of how the presentations directly correlated with what we were learning at home through the vodcasts, making it much easier for the information to stick in my head.

Throughout this semester, I have been working on becoming more assertive and becoming more confident in the information. Although there weren’t very many group projects this unit to attest to being very assertive, I still believe that I have made immense growth.