Chicken Muscle Dissection Lab Analysis

In this lab, each group dissected a chicken and identified major muscles such as the deltoid, the triceps humeralis, and biceps brachii. To make sure we identified all the muscles, we were told to take pictures and label each of the muscles, so we can make sure we identified the muscles correctly and this will help us learn more about the different muscles and characteristics. I learned where all the major muscles are and where they are located on a chicken. We went over the muscles in our lectures, so most of our group knew in general about where each of the muscles were. The lecture helped us greatly for this lab. 

Muscles, bones, and tendons play a huge role in movement. Tendons (muscles attached to bones) are flexible chords of strong fibrous collagen tissue. Bones tissue is a type of dense connective tissue, and the bone protects and supports many vital organs in the body. Muscles are the ones that are used like levers in machines and the muscle supports the muscle so it is able to do it. For example, the shoulder joint is joined with the biceps together by a tendon. Also, the biceps and the radius/ulna are joined by a tendon. Therefore, muscles, bones, and tendons are needed to allow the body to move.

The picture on the left shows the origin or biceps, the tendon, and the insertion of biceps (radius). Basically, the origin is the fixed attachment while the insertion moves with contraction. For example, for the muscle biceps brachii, the origin is the caracoled process, the insertion is the radius, and the action is that it flexes the antebrachium. Another example is the triceps brachii, where the origin is the humerus, the insertion is the olecranon, and action is that it extends the antebrachium.

Chickens and humans both have the same types of tissues: epithelial tissue, muscle tissue, and connective tissue. Chickens have the same types of muscles as humans, such as the forearm, triceps, and biceps. Chickens also have similar bone structure, like the shoulder joint, which lets the chicken move its wings. The differences are that chickens can't move their metacarpals, while humans can. The biceps brachia is smaller in chickens and bigger in humans, but they both help with the flexion of the arms. The muscles in humans are so much smaller in chickens than in humans. 

The sartorius is the longest muscle in the human body. The muscle helps flex, adduct, and rotate the hip. Functionally, the iliotibial tract extends the tensor fascia latae muscle into the lower thigh and leg, allowing it to function as an abductor

Biceps Fermoris performs knee flexion
The quadriceps femurs stabilize the patella (knee cap) and knee joint

The Deltoid is involved in arm abduction along the frontal plane
The Triceps humeralis can fixate the elbow joint.
Biceps Brachii helps control the movement of the shoulder and elbow

Brachioradialis flexes the forearm at the elbow.
Flexor Carpi Ulnaris is involved with flexor and ulnar deviation of the wrist.

Quadriceps Femoris is a group of muscles located in the front of the thigh.

Both the Semimbranosus and Semitendinosus flex the leg and extend the thigh.

Gastrocnemius is involved with plantar flexing the foot at the ankle join and flexing the left at the knee joint.
The peroneus longus everts and plantar flexes the foot.
The Tibialis Anterior movements are dorsiflexion and inversion of the ankle 

The Latissimus Dorsi is involved with extension and adduction
Trapezius extends the scapulae and supports the arm.

2nd Blog Post: 20 Time

Title: Raising Money for a Great Cause

The purpose of my 20 Time project was to sell bracelets and necklaces that I make from scratch; all the money that I make will be donated to an organization called Pencils of Promise, which basically helps fund scholarships, trains teaches, and builds schools. I have learned  that a lot of people don't donate to this organization because since it was founded in 2008, so not that many people have heard of it. I hope to bring awareness of this organization because I believe education is important. I have learned that I am not very good at making crafts because I have attempted to make two bracelets so far (tutorials on youtube) and none of them have worked. For example, one of the necklaces I tried to make was a pendant out of a hot glue gun, but It didn't work. I am going to attempt again over the weekend. My setbacks were actually making the bracelets because it isn't that easy. I plan to handle them by trying harder and hopefully, I keep learning from each mistake I make. The next steps in my process is to try to hopefully make at least 10 items and sell them to people I know. I can apply what I have learned to the community and school by raising awareness for the important of donating to Pencils of Promise. 

What Happens when You Stretch

3 Important Quotes and Explanations:

1. "As the sarcomere contracts, the area of overlap between the thick and thin myofilaments. As it stretches, this area of overlap decreases, allowing the muscle fiber to elongate."
-I find this quote interesting because we learned a lot about muscle contraction in class, where the myosin and actin filaments overlap each other and the sarcomere shortens. However, when you stretch a muscle the process is different because the area of overlap decreases and the muscle fiber length increases.

2. "When you stretch your calf, you want to contract the shin muscles by flexing your foot. However, the hamstrings use the calf as a synergist so you want to relax the hamstrings by contracting the quadricep."
-I find this quote interesting because before tennis, I always stretch my calf, but sometimes I don't do it properly. This quote helps me understand the proper ways to stretch your calf to get an effective result.

3. "One of the reasons for holding a stretch for a prolonged period of time is that as you hold the muscle in a stretched position, the muscle spindle habituates (becomes accustomed to the new length) and reduces its signaling. Gradually, you can train your stretch receptors to allow greater lengthening of the muscles."
-I find this quote interesting because as holding your stretch for a long period of time can actually help train your stretch receptors to allow you to allow greater lengthening of muscles in the future.

Relate and Review:
The article was about the different things that happen in the body when someone stretches a muscle. I learned that the sarcomere contracts during muscle contraction, which allows the actin and myosin filaments to overlap each other. I learned that as you stretch, the area of overlap decreases and muscle fiber elongates. I also learned what proprioception is: the perception of one's own body position and movement. There are two kinds of muscle fibers: intrafusal muscle fibers and extrafusal muscle fibers. Also, when muscles contract, they produce tension at the point where the muscle is connected to the tendon. Lastly, I learned that it is easier to stretch a muscle that is relaxed than to stretch a muscle that is contracting. This article relates back to my life because I stretch all the time before sports and I never knew what actually occurs in the body when you stretch. I never knew that if you hold your stretch for a prolonged time, it can train your stretch receptors to allow greater lengthening of the muscles.

Unit 6 Reflection

This Unit was about the Skeletal System, which contains the bones, joints, cartilages, and ligaments. It is divided into two divisions: axial skeleton and appendicular skeleton. The Essential Understandings were the classification of bones, grow and microscopic anatomy of bones, functions and dysfunctions of the skeletal system, lifestyle choices affects bone health, relationship between structure and function to bones, tissues, and cells, and how the skeletal system works to help maintain homeostasis. This unit taught me (themes) about the disorders of the skeletal system and the different types of bones, the roles of vitamins, cells, and environment on bone density, and how the bone repairs itself after being fractured. It was really interesting to learn about the process of bone repair because I never have broken a bone, so before this, I didn't know how repairing bone worked. First, bleeding and inflammation produces a blood clot. After 48 hours, the clot softens and produces a mass of protein fibers called priceless. The Fibroblasts arrive and secrete dense connective tissue which replaces pro callus. Then Chrondroblasts and osteoblasts arrive. By the end of the first week, cartilage and bone appear throughout the site and eventually, osseous callus appears which can later heal the bone. 

I want to learn more about the different disorders of the Skeletal System. We learned in little detail about arthritis (inflammation of joints),  osteoporosis (bones lose minerals), scoliosis (abnormal curvature of spine), kyphosis (spine may develop a hump), lordosis (excessive curvature of lumbar spine), and reckless (softening and weakening of bones). I wonder about how the bone knows to release calcium into blood (in parathyroid hormone). I get that it is because level of calcium in blood goes down, but I wonder how that process works. I don't have any unanswered questions.

I have learned a lot in this class so far. Learning about the different systems in the body helps me understand the physiology and anatomy of the body better. Even though the pellet lab was smelly, I really liked that lab because we got to find bones in the pellet and identify which organism it was. I like those types of labs because it is up to the students to figure out the right answer. (Owl Pellet Lab Link) I also liked the lab where we got to identify the different parts of the skeleton because it really helped me understand the anatomy of the bones.

The 20 Time Project has also helped me learn about different organizations and how they are making a difference in the world. (20 Time Project Link). My New Years Goal was to listen and focus more in class and I think that I have definitely improved on those abilities. Another one of my goals was to not procrastinate, but I am still working on that goal currently.

Pictures:

Owl Pellet Lab

Eric Standing Next to the Skeleton, which we used in our Lab

Picture of leg bones

Raising Money for Pencils of Promise

20% Time is where 20% of class time is dedicated to a student project (has to be problem/solution oriented, but students have total freedom to pick their topic). 

The essential question is "How can I raise money for Pencils of Promise?"

For my 20% Time Project, I have chosen to raise money for an organization called Pencils of Promise, a non profit organization that funds scholarships, builds schools, and trains teachers, by making crafts and selling them to people. I chose this project because a lot of people don't know about this organization even though it is very important. Education is very important and I believe that all students should have access to a good one that can help them live successful lives in the future. My project choice answers the essential question because I am making crafts (such as bracelets, necklaces, pendants) and selling them to people to raise money for Pencils of Promise. At the end of the semester, I will donate all the money I have made to the organization. 

My goal is to raise money for an organization called Pencils of Promise that builds schools in poorer areas where education is not a priority. My goal is to raise at least 200 dollars and hopefully, make a difference.

I will measure my progress how many crafts I have made and sold. 

My plan moving forward is to spend some of my weekend making certain crafts and then selling my products on Monday at school. I also hope to learn more about the organization in the process and get people more aware of it.

Owl Pellet Lab

Each pair was given an owl pellet. We measured the length, width, and mass of the pellet which was 7.78 g, length was 5.1cm, and width was 3.5cm. We separated the bones and fur within the pellet using a probe and foreceps. The purpose of the lab is to dissect the owl pellet and identify the prey that the certain bones belong to. We measured the length and width of the skull: 44mm and 18mm and also the length and width of the lower jaw: 27mm and 14mm.

Claim: Our organism was a Vole because the bones in the pellet match with the bones of a vole.

Evidence: Our organism is a vole because of the bones we found that matched the bones of a mole. For example, the skull in our pellet exactly matches the skull of the vole shown below. The top of the cheek teeth are pointed and the tooth has individual roots on the bottom and has sharp corners.

Vole Skull:

Prey Skull:

The scapula (shoulder blade) of the prey exactly matches the bones of the vole, which supports our claim that the organism was a vole. On the sides of the scapula, both pictures have one area that is really pointed, which makes it unique from the other organisms. This narrows our choices down to just being a vole.

Vole Scapula:

Prey Scapula:

Lastly, the humerus exactly matches that of the vole as shown in this picture below. The Humerus has an irregular curve or hump on one side of the bone, which is unique to the vole. When we dissected this bone from the pellet, we found out that it matches with the humerus of the vole, therefore supporting our theory that the organism was a vole.

Vole Humerus:

Prey Humerus:

From this information, we can conclude that the organism was a vole because the bones that we found are the same as the bones of a vole. We looked at the bones of the other organisms and found nothing that matches, so we concluded that the only possible organism could be a vole.

The skeleton of the vole and the skeleton of the human have many similarities and differences. For example, for differences, the tibia and fibula of the vole looks attached while in the human, the fibula and tibia look like two separate bones. The tibia and fibula form a synovial join that has a very subtle range of motion. It is a plane join that allows for some sliding rational moment between the two bones.
Tibia and Fibula of Vole:

Tibia and Fibula of Human Skeleton:

Also, for differences, the skull in the human skeleton are different than that of the vole. For instance, the vole has sharper and longer teeth. The vole has sharp edges on the side of the face as shown below while humans have all pointed teeth.

The shoulder blade of the human skeleton and vole look somewhat different. The shoulder blade of the vole looks like it has a larger width than height (looks like bird wings) while the shoulder blade in humans is longer than wide. Below is a picture of the human shoulder blade and below that is the vole shoulder blade.

For similarities, both the vole and human skeletons have similar bones in the arm. For example, the lower arm of both the vole and the human consists of both the ulna and radius that have similar functions. Also, both the vole and the human skeleton consists of two bones in the lower leg. Lastly, both the vole and the human skeleton have similar femurs, which are the longest bones in the body.

Picture of Bones we found:

Unit 5 Reflection

Unit 5 was about the Digestive System, Fuel Metabolism, Diabetes, Endocrine System, and the Lymphatic System. I learned the functions of each system; for example, the lymphatic system's function is immunity, lipid absorption, and fluid recovery. I learned that steroid hormones are lipid soluble, which means that they can pass through the cell membrane without receptors needed. Non steroid hormones are not lipid soluble, which means that they need to react with specific receptors outside the cell, which leads to formation of cAMP. The Endocrine System has many important glands, such as the Thyroid Gland, Parathyroid glands, and adrenal medulla, which have specific hormones. Growth Hormone is specific to the Anterior Lobe while ADH is specific to the Posterior Lobe. Diabetes is when the body can't properly regulate blood glucose levels. The first time is an autoimmune disorder where the body does not make insulin at all so the people must take insulin shots. Type 2 Diabetes usually begins as insulin resistance where the body doesn't respond properly to insulin. Lastly, I learned that the passage way of food goes from the mouth to pharynx to esophagus to stomach to small intestines to large intestines to anal canal to anus.

My weaknesses were the three stages of Metabolism: Fed State, Fasting State, and Starvation State. I was confused how long the Fed State lasts and when you know you are in the Fed State versus the Fasting State. That topic was very difficult for me to learn, but when I reviewed the notes, it made the three stages more clear. My strengths were the different hormones insulin and glucagon since we learned them last semester. It's interesting to know that those hormones are so important to the body. Insulin signals high glucose levels and promotes fat storage while glucagon signals ow glucose levels and stimulates conversion of glycogen to glucose in liver.

In Unit 5, we did many detailed packets that were very hard to understand. However, I found them helpful for understanding the topics we went over in class. We had to read two packets called Integration of Metabolism and Stress, Metabolism, and Liquidating Your Assets. We also had to fill out another packet called the Endocrine System. We also did a Digestive System Lab (Blog Post) which helped me understand the sizes of the alimentary canal and other organs such as the stomach and small intestines. It was interesting to see how long it really was.

I am interested to learn if Diabetes is based on genetics, or is it just something people develop based on their everyday habits. I am also interested in learning more about the lymphatic system because usually, people don't really understand the importance of that system. My New Years Goal (New Years Goals blog post) was to start listening more in class, and I think I am listening and focusing more in class. Another goal was to not procrastinate. I still don't think I have reached this goal yet.

Data from Digestive System Lab. My digestive tract is approximately 8.3729m.

Nimisha doing her relate and review for Lymphatic System.

Kanika working on Unit 5 Reflection