Jasmine's Anatomy and Physiology Blog

Nanotech Speaker         I thought that the nanotech speaker lecture was very interesting. I learned that we use nanotechnology every day and I also learned the importance and advancements that can be made in nanotech. I also thought it was really interesting that the nanotech speaker started his own company. The research he has done is very important and I also really enjoyed when he brought out the samples of the coaster from his friend's company. I had always seen those hydrophobic coasters on the internet and was always amazed by the technology they used and hoped to one day experience it first hand. It was really cool that he brought it out for us and showed us how it worked with water. I thought it was amazing that they were able to use technology and copy the way plants function by repelling water. I enjoyed the lecture and look forward to learning more about nanotechnology in the future.  

Nervous System Disease: Demyelinating Disease         A demyelinating disease is a condition that causes damage to the myelin sheath which surrounds nerve fibers in your brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord. The myelin sheath is a layer of fat that surrounds the nerve fibers in the brain, optic nerve, and spinal cord and it aids in speeding up the messages. Without the myelin sheath, our bodies would not be able to receive messages from the brain and we would not be able to function. An example of a Demyelinating Disease is MS (Multiple Sclerosis). It is a degenerative disease of the CNS. There is currently no cure for MS but there are drugs and treatments that can be administered to improve the quality of life. You can go through chemotherapy, immunosuppressant, and steroids.  

Nervous System Career: Neurosurgeon         An intere sting career that has to do with the study of the nervous system is becoming a neurosurgeon.  A  neurosurgeon  is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system including congenital anomalies, trauma, tumors, vascular disorders, infections of the brain or spine, stroke, or degenerative diseases of the spine. A neurosurgeon studies the nervous system extensively in order to perform their job. They remove brain tumors, spinal tumors, clip aneurysms, and conduct research and studies to expand the knowledge of the human brain.  Neurosurgeons will  perform surgery on the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves in order to remove tumors, relieve chronic pain and treat wounds, vascular disorders and diseases such as Parkinson's and epilepsy. An example of a surgery that a neurosurgeon would do is a split brain...

Nursing Career        There are many things that you can do when you go into the nursing career. The school nurse came in to talk to us about it and gave us a lecture and told us the many different fields that we could go into. Each field of nursing requires a certain amount of years of schooling and requirements and credentials to be met. If you plan to be a nurse, you can become a clinical nurse, registered nurse, and a school nurse, just to name a few. In order to become a clinical nurse, you must be specially trained and have a masters of science in nursing degree or other graduate level program. You will also need an RN licensure and then take the CNS exam to become a clinical nurse specialist. To become a registered nurse you must have a degree in nursing, either a bachelors degree or an ADN. To become a school nurse you must a have bachelors degree in nursing and then become an RN and then gain work experience and credits. By pursuing a nursing career,...

Dear Mr. Lungs,            I am so glad that you are fully functioning and working. I am thankful that you have never had a pneumothorax, otherwise, I would not be able to breathe properly. It would be quite troublesome if I had a collapsed lung. I appreciate that you are healthy and that the pressure in my chest cavity does not fluctuate because of all your hard work. I will take good care of you, I will not smoke and will exercise to keep you healthy. It is important that the ribs protect you, so I will make sure to not break any ribs and jeopardize your safety. Thank you for always being there for when I need to breathe and scream and yell and sing songs. I do not know what I would do without you. Love, Jasmine

Lung Model/Ventilation        This model shows how the lungs function. The steps to make this model are to:  1. obtain a bottle  2.  cut the bottom of it off  3. screw a hole into the cap so the straw can fit perfectly through  4. fashion the straw to act as the bronchial 5. tape balloons onto the ends of the straw  6. put a ballon to cover the hole at the bottom and wrap a rubber band around it - the balloon at the bottom will act as a diaphragm.  The model shows how the lungs function. When you pull at the base of the diaphragm it causing it to expand and for air to fill the lungs. When you let go of the diaphragm (when it contracts), air leaves the lungs, causing them to shrink.