The goal of this project was to model two body systems working together and independently. We first chose and researched our two body systems. The different organ systems are the respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, reproductive, muscular, excretory, nervous, lymphatic, digestive, and skeletal. The two systems my group and I chose were the immune and circulatory. Afterwards, we had to design our model and create a proposal for it. Once we finished our proposal, we could begin the construction of the model and our presentation that informed the class about our body systems.
Our model shows the circulation of white blood cells throughout the body through blood vessels. The circulatory system transports the white blood cells around to the area of infection in the body. White blood cells produce B cells. B cells produce antibodies, which helps destroy pathogens. Helper T cells regulate the production of antibodies and killer T cells attack pathogens. The heart (plastic water bottle) continuously pumps blood throughout the body when the bottle is squeezed. A pathogen (styrofoam and balloon) is put inside the tissue section of the model. This represents the pathogen, a microorganism that can cause disease. The antigen on the pathogen alerts cells of the pathogens. Millions of white blood cells are produced and are sent to the infected area through the blood vessel. B cells (sponge), which are in the tissue, produce antibodies (paper clips). Antibodies and killer T cells (playdough with paper clips) are transported by the circulatory system to the pathogens. The antibodies and killer T cells attack/melt the pathogens. The acetone in the sponge pieces (white blood cells) will melt the styrofoam pathogens. The paper clips attached to the antibodies and killer T cells will pop the balloons that also represent the pathogens.
Presentation
Proposal
Concepts
Organ System: a group of organs that work together to perform closely related functions Organ: a group of tissues that work together to perform closely related functions Tissue: made up of different cells, makes up organs and body parts Circulatory System: transports nutrients, waste, and gas throughout the body Heart: muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body Arteries: large vessel that carries blood from heart to tissue; plastic tubing in model Capillaries: smallest of blood vessels, one cell thick, where nutrients and CO2 are brought to tissues, absorptions of CO2 and waste; plastic tuning in model Veins: returns blood to heart, walls contain connective tissues and muscle; plastic tuning in model Immune System: protects the body from disease, primary defense against pathogens Pathogen: microorganism that can cause disease; balloon and styrofoam in model Antigen: substance that triggers response, pathogen can carry recptors that act as antigen B Cells: white blood cells that recognize antigens, grow and divide rapidly to create plasma cells; playdough in model Plasma Cells: specialized B Cells that release antibodies; playdough balls in model Antibody: protein that helps destroy pathogens - has two identical antigen-binding sites; paperclips in model Helper T Cells: assist and regulate the activation of plasma cells/antibodies Killer T Cells: attack antigen-bearing cells directly; playdough with paperclips in model These are the concepts that were represented in our model.
Reflection
This was a good project to end the semester. One upside to this project was my group's creativity. We all suggested fun ideas to represent our systems. For example, we used acetone and styrofoam to represent pathogens being destroyed by white blood cells and a plastic water bottle to represent the heart pumping blood. A second upside was that I felt more confident with my presenting skills, which is something I have been working on. I relyed less on the slideshow while speaking, which made me more confident in what I was saying. One problem my group and I had was communication. Though we shared ideas, we did not always communicate important pieces of information or what our plan was. One downside for me was that I did less hands-on construction. The next time we do a hands-on project, I would like to be more useful in building our project. Overall, My group and I worked well together and created a successful model.