For this assignment, you will become a drop of blood off on a scenic (and educational) trip inside the human body. Like any good modern vacationer, you will blog about your experiences along the way. Note – this is a VACATION, not a STAYCATION – you must leave the heart (the heart cannot be your destination structure).
You will include such fascinating topics as:
Where you went (the anatomical structure you chose as your destination, along with its function).
The route you took (don’t forget the trip back – blood vessels are one-way streets [remember why? Hint: The answer is different for veins and arteries.]).
Any interesting sights along the way (organs you passed by along your route).
What you did when you got there (remember, you’re blood – don’t repeat what the organ does; tell me WHAT YOU DID [hint: review the functions of various blood cells if necessary]).
Purpose
By completing this assignment, you will demonstrate your knowledge of:
The spatial arrangement/relative positioning of various organs.
The functions of various organs.
The circulatory system and its component parts.
The composition of blood, and the functions of its various components.
Audience
You will be sharing details of your “trip” with friends, family, and other followers of your blog.
Instructions
Using the Discussion Board , you will create a blog post describing your trip.
Original Post
Use the correct terminology and sequencing of the blood vessels you travelled through along your route.
Arteries and veins must have their correct name – you can use the generic term for other blood vessels [arterioles, capillaries, venules].
Draw and attach (or embed) a “map” of your route. Don’t worry, this isn’t art class. Nobody will gain or lose points based upon their drawing ability – this is to help you visualize the pathway.
Photos are always fun in a blog! If you find interesting photos of your destination organ [or videos/animations of them in action] feel free to add them too. Be sure to credit the source.
To receive full credit on this assignment, make sure you can answer “yes” to each of the following questions.
I identified and accurately described the physical features of my destination structure, including its relative positioning in the body, using correct terminology.
I described the physiological functions of my destination structure, including the organ system to which my destination structure belongs.
I correctly identified the arterial and venous pathways servicing my destination structure.
I mentioned and accurately described at least one other significant structure along this pathway (either arterial or venous). In this instance, a structure is considered significant if it has a specific name that is mentioned in our textbook.
I included a visual representation of the pathway, either as an attachment or directly embedded into the post.
I described at least one function of blood that would be appropriate for the destination structure, and correctly identified which component of blood performs this function.
I cited all my sources using correct APA formatting.
Follow Up Posts
Reply to AT LEAST ONE classmate’s ORIGINAL post.
In this reply, include a fact about the destination organ NOT INCLUDED in the original post.
While not required, many students enjoy “staying in character” for the reply: “oh, I see you visited [one of the structures included in the original post]. I’ve been there too. While you were there, did you notice how [additional fact about that structure NOT included in the original post]?”.
Follow Up Post must include
I responded to at least one classmate’s ORIGINAL post who used a destination structure different from my own.
I included one fact about that student’s destination structure not included in the original post. (Note: please limit this to one additional fact to give other students an opportunity to respond without duplicating your post.)
I included a reference citation for my additional fact using correct APA formatting.
reply to this post
Destination~ Kidney’s
Function:
The Kidneys are a special filter system for your body. The Kidneys remove waste products from the blood and produce urine. They control the levels of many substances in the blood and help to control your blood pressure as well.
My Route:
I started in the heart and left through the Aorta into the renal artery-> segmental artery ->interlobular artery->arcuate artery-> interlobular artery-> afferent arteriole -> glomerulus capillaries->efferent arteriole -> peritublar capillaries /vasa recta-> interlobular vein-> arcuate vein->interlobular vein-> renal vein->then ended back into the heart through the inferior vena cava.
Interesting sights/experiences on my vacation:
Nephrons: As I passed through I was filtered to get rid of fluids and waste. The nephrons are made up of glomerulus’s, which is the filters and are attached to a tubule.
Diaphragm: I passed through here twice and complimented its size, it looked very stern.
Lungs: I also said hello to the lungs, they were working very hard to help out my buddies that didn’t have any oxygen.
The purpose of my job:
kidneys filter about a half cup of me every minute, removing wastes and extra water to make urine from me. The kidneys help to keep me in check also, they control the level of multiple substances in me such as sodium, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium.
