Nervous System!

So far in this class we've looked at our skin (integumentary system), bones, and muscles. Now we need to look at what controls these systems and allows our body to communicate with it's different parts. We will first start off with the central nervous system and look at the different parts of the brain. We'll dissect some sheep brains and compare structures. Then we'll also test our reflexes and learn the different parts of a reflex arc. That should get us through to mid January and semester finals. The final exam in this class is a cummulative exam--- meaning everything we've learned since August is fair game for the test!!!

Muscles!

We are now moving on to muscles: what are the different types of muscles; what are the functions of muscles; what are the names of different muscles; how do muscles contract? These are just some of the questions we will tackle in this unit. As usual, we will be having quizzes along the way to help you memorize the different skeletal muscles and their movements. By the end of this unit we should have a greater appreciation for all those sore muscles from weight training or basketball/wrestiling practice and even be able to name them!

Skeletal System Test Coming Up Soon!!

Thursday November 19th will be the Skeletal System test!! You will need to review the following:
 Axial & Appendicular Skeleton
 Names of the bones & landmarks (label & coloring papers—anything labeled is fair game!)
 Function of bones
 Four groups of bones & examples (long, short, etc.)
 Long bone anatomy
 Microscopic anatomy
 Types of bone cells
 Types of fractures
 Types of Joints
Fibrous—know examples
Cartilaginous – know examples
Synovial – know examples

Use the website www.anatomyandphysiology.com to help you review. This is Chapter 5!!
Another good website is http://www.gwc.maricopa.edu/class/bio201/skeleton.htm

Remember there will be a review session Wednesday November 18th in the anatomy room from 6:00-7:30. You will be able to use all the models/skeletons to review and I will be there to answer any questions. Highly recommended and I will bribe you with some rice krispie cookies!!

Study Them Bones!!!

206!! That's the number of bones in your body. We are going to learn the names of most of them as well as some of the bone landmarks. We will be having a quiz each day as we work on memorizing this information. Once we become "experts" we will dive into a forensic lab. From a set of bones we will identify whether the "victim" was male or female as well as the race, age, and height. Finally we will study the physiology of bones and take a look at the microscopic stucture of bone cells. Get ready for some bone chilling fun in this chapter!!!

Finishing up the Integumentary System!!

There is a test coming up on Wednesday Oct. 21st! It will cover all the topics we have studied since Chapter 1. That includes: The different types of microscopes, Tissues, Membranes, and Skin. Use your notes, study guides, lab papers, and textbook to help you review. Go to www.anatomyandphysiology.com for review activities and practice quizzes. There is a link to this website below!! We've had some fun activities that dealt with skin including fingerprinting!! Next chapter is the skeleton system!!

Great Job on Chapter 1 Test

Wow-- I'm impressed. Seventeen out of twenty one students received an A on the Chapter 1 test. GOOD JOB! Remember anyone who receives an A gets to draw a coupon out of my blue box. The coupons are good for candy bars, free homework passes, excused tardies, and extra credit!! We will now be studying microscopes, tissues, membranes, and the integumentary system. There will be lots of fun labs coming up that will help us learn about our skin. I'll even throw in some forensic labs when we talk about fingerprints and the different methods to collect fingerprints!!

Chapter 1 Test Coming Up Soon!!

There will be a Chapter 1 test this Friday September 11th. Look over your notes, study guides, and lab papers for this chapter. Reread Chapter 1 and use the online textbook for review questions and activities. There is a link on this blog or go to www.anatomyandphysiology.com Choose your textbook and go to Chapter 1.
You need to know the following for the test:
* Definitions of anatomy & physiology
* Levels of organization from atoms to organism
* Names of the 11 organ systems
* What homeostasis is
* Describe the anatomical position
* Body Landmarks -- remember the sticky note game??
* Directional terms such as superior, inferior, etc...
* Three body planes
* Body cavities and subdivisions
* Nine abdominopelvic regions

Bring a #2 pencil for the test. There are 29 scan tron questions, 2 essay questions and one extra credit question. GOOD LUCK!!!

Chapter 1 Test Coming Up Soon!!

We're Off & Running!!

We've made it through the first week of school and everyone is doing great with their vocabulary quizzes. Remember give anatomy 10-20 minutes of studying/reviewing every night 6 days a week. This will help immensely when it comes to the chapter tests. There is too much to learn and you can't leave it to the night before the test!! Next week is homecoming week and we will be starting our rat dissection-- yikes new students with scapels in their hands. Heaven help me!

Remember the Class rules and be NICE!!

Welcome To The First Week of School!!

School Year 2009-2010

I'm excited to get this first blog started for my Anatomy & Physiology class. We are getting ready for the first week of school and there are currently 17 students enrolled in this class. This is a college prep class that studies the structures of the human body and how they function. Class will consist of lecture (a necessary evil!!), lots of hands on activites & LABS, and study guides with reading assignments. A cumulative final exam will be given at the end of each semester worth 10% of the final grade.
For this class students will need:

1. textbook with an appropriate cover-- I will provide the book and materials to cover the book the first day of class. Students will be expected to bring this book to class everyday.
2. Three ring binder-- I recommend a 1.5-2 inch binder
3. College ruled paper for taking notes
4. Pen or Pencil to write with
5. Colored Pencils-- at least 12 different colors (the more the better!)
6. 3x5 index cards -- optional but these are handy for making review flashcards.

I will try to keep this blog updated every week or so with current assignments and pictures. Please keep coming back for new information!!