Unit 7 Reflection

For this unit, we focused mainly on the skeletal system, and more specifically, what the bones in our body do, how they work, and what certain ones look like. As with many other units that we have learned in Anatomy and Physiology thus far, the purpose of this unit was been to correlate the functions and dysfunctions of the bones in our system in order to understand how they help our body work the most efficiently and healthily as possible. Essential understandings include the classification of bones, the gross and microscopic anatomy of bones, the function and dysfunctions of the skeletal system, how lifestyle choices affect bone health, the relationship between the structure and function of bones, tissues, and cells, and how the skeletal system works to help maintain homeostasis.

First off, we went over the general functions and dysfunctions of the skeletal system. Bones are divided into being either axial(integral to framing the body) or appendicular(on the appendages of the body), and mainly work to support the body, protect soft organs, move in accordance to skeletal muscles, store minerals, and form blood cells. Bones are also responsible for constantly regenerating and discarding bone tissue throughout one's lifetime, in a process called bone remodeling, which we would cover more in depth later on. When one of these functions of the body are compromised, it is often due to a certain disorder associated to the dysfunction of the skeletal system; for example, osteoporosis, which is more common amongst women, causes bones to lose the stored minerals that they have and create brittle bones the to break more easily and often create mini-fractures that compress the appearance of the skeleton. Other disorders include scoliosis, which is when the structure of the spine is irregularly curved(a dysfunction in supporting the body) and arthritis, which is the inflammation of joints(inhibiting the function of movement).

Carter, Henry Vandyke, and Henry Gray. Osteoblasts and osteoclasts on
trabecula of lower jaw of calf embryo. Digital image. Wikimedia Commons. N.p.,
16 May 2006. Web. 17 Apr. 2017.

Next, we went over the biological composition of bones, and their purpose in bone density. Bone remodeling, as mentioned before, is a process that all bones in the body undergo, and osteocytes, osteoblasts, and osteoclasts assist in, and each type of bones cell has its own role. Osteocytes can be considered the older generation of osteoblasts and osteoclasts(those young 'uns), as they are firmly embedded firmly in the bone itself and send signals for the other two types of cells to do their jobs. Osteoclasts are the bone destroying cells(much like the angry teenager stereotype) that get rid of bone tissue to maintain and repair injured bone. Osteoblasts, on the other hand, "blast" new bone material on the bone in order to replace that injured bone. Alongside cells, there are also a few notable
hormones and minerals involved with bone remodeling as well, which helps emphasize why a healthy diet is important for all the systems of the body. The parathyroid hormone(PTH) is secreted when the osteoclasts are more active and there are lower Ca2+ ions in the blood in order to indue those ions and phosphate from the bone into the blood, and calcitonin is used to bring Ca2+ ions back into bones and at a normal level(as well as keep osteoclasts in check). Proper nutrition is thus extremely important in bone remodeling, because the vitamin D(which helps absorb calcium into the body), vitamin K(assorted vitamins that go straight to the bone), and vitamin C(which helps produce collagen secreted by osteoblasts) that we ingest all are necessary to feed the process of bone remodeling.

We then went more into specifics on how the body repairs bone fractures(serious ones that cannot get fixed only through bone remodeling). Primarily, one must know the difference between certain types of fractures of bone, which include complete/incomplete(whether or not it breaks straight through the bone)or closed/compound(whether or not the skin is pierced by the bone). Other types of fractures are a comminuted fracture(broken into 3+pieces)and an oblique fracture(where the break occurs at an angle)but regardless of the type of break, all bones are repaired (once the ends of the bone meet) through the creation of a blood clot that turns into a procallus(mass of protein fibers). Fibroblasts then arrive at the scene to establish connections of dense connective tissue, followed by chondroblasts and osteoblasts, until finally time becomes the final instigator in creating cartilage and bone into a bone mass called osseous callous.

Villarreal, Mariana Ruiz. Human skeleton.
Digital image. Wikipedia. N.p.,
 3 Jan. 2007. Web. 17 Apr. 2017

General anatomy paired with a little bit of physiology was learnt in the last few lessons on the skeletal system, about both joints and the bones of our body. Joints work mainly due to their creation of either a first, second, or third class lever that help us move our bodies with ease, and are classified base on functional and structural qualities. On the functional side, synarthrosis names immovable joints, amphiarthroses contains slightly movable joints, and the group diarthroses has freely movable joints.  Structurally, joints are divided into fibrous(ligament joining), cartilaginous(cartilage joining) and synovial(without anything in between). Add the two classifications together, and specific joints within the body come to mind, like the synovial diarthrotic joint of our wrist, elbow, hip, and shoulder. With the mentioning of specific joints within the body, it is impossible not to mention the individual bones of the body that are the most important in supporting and transporting ourselves. In a bone lab that we conducted in class, we were assigned to learning about and memorizing a choice number of bones
, a notable few including the femur(the largest bone in the body), the mandible(lower jaw), and the false and floating ribs under the 7 true ribs that are not fully connected to the rest of the ribcage.

After learning all about the skeletal system, there is still some areas that I have questions on, including whether flexibility has anything to do with bones, why being double jointed is a thing, and why creaky joints/old injuries are sometimes affected by the weather(or so say old people).

As a student during this unit, I felt that I did keep up with paying attention in class and properly absorbing the material that we learned in class and at home by keeping up with homework and class work. The only lab that I posted during this unit, the Owl Pellet Lab, was truly quite fascinating to me (while I did do a similar lab in 4th grade, the specimens were rather skimpy in bones and not nearly as big as the ones we had this semester), and I felt that I was able to work well with my partner in order to figure out what kind of animal we had. Participation in class was, I think, rather normal for me, and if there is anything that I felt this unit I could have improved one, it might have been starting to study for the test a bit sooner and keeping a steady progress on the 20 Time Project. From my New Years Goals post, you can see how one of my weak points is procrastination, and although I feel much more solid on the material we learned this unit than, say, the past unit, I still could have started studying sooner to clear up my schedule for other classes. From my last 20 Time update as well, my struggles with procrastination have definitely peeked through a bit during this unit, so I will endeavor to put more persistence into my goals going into the next unit. However, I do think that I should be proud of the progress that I have made this unit in learning new material, and I am looking forward to taking what I have learned with me going forward.

It's "Bin" Great So Far

Now that the time to write our 3rd blog post has come around, I am happy to report many new developments in my project. I now have created the basic frame of my compost bin out of a black, 31 gallon garbage can (pictured below). My dad helped me drill 6 rows of 8 holes, each approximately 1 cm in diameter and every row 5 inches apart from each other. The lid of the garbage can has 21 holes, and the bottom of the can was drilled as well in order to promote ventilation and the drainage of unwanted water.

Originally, I had actually not intended to use a garbage can for creating compost; I thought that this sort of container would not be big enough, since it did not fit the requirements of having a 3x3x3 ft^3 volume that one of my other resources had indicated. However, a brief venture into Home Depot left me without a concrete plan for the materials that I had wished to use, considering that I could not find adequate chicken wire, wooden snow fences, or even wood that I wished to use to make the compost bin. Hopefully this design(which was also on the plan I provided in my last post) will work out, and insulate the compost inside enough to hold heat.

After constructing the base for the compost, it was time to start actually putting things in it. To assist with this, I used a separate bin in the kitchen to hold the compostable feedstock(food scraps). 

This was crucial, as i didn't want any meat or dairy products(or god forbid, plastic) to find their way into the compost; however, I still had to fish out a couple pieces of bone here and there. 

As I mentioned in my previous post, I would have to start collecting dry and wet materials to put into my compost, and luckily enough, my house is located near quite a few oak trees with ample supplies of dry leaves, so I started off with a sizable layer of those leaves at the bottom of the compost.

Afterwards, I put in a layer of food scraps(from plant sources) to supply the "wet" aspect of compost, resulting in it looking a little something like this:

At this point in time, there is still some way to go before the bin gets to a large enough size to produce heat in the middle, so for the following weeks I will be documenting my progress in trying to do just that. With all the rain lately, it has been hard finding dry brown feedstock for the compost, so I might look for a way to stockpile oak leaves while they're still dry and available. Turning, which helps increase airflow and shorten the amount of time compost is created, is also a method that I will start using once the compost gets bigger, and I will keep this blog updated once I start doing it and see how(or if) it improves the way that the compost gets along. Also, it still remains to see whether this bin will work; if it fails to decompose the way that it should, then I might have to try and create another way to get rid of extra food scraps. Until next time, however, I'll keep working with this model and see how it goes. I will also try to look for nearby facilities to reach out and ask questions as well, and maybe even attend a few classes if y schedule clears up.

Mainly, what I have learned about myself is that I find it really hard to adhere to my goals or long-time projects when there are other things that are there to distract me in my schoolwork. I've struggled on the past with procrastination and other problems, but for this project especially I feel that I should work more towards breaking this habit of mine and putting this project in a higher priority. Our culture in school especially prevents us from focusing on the "big picture" at times, especially when it comes to doing well in school; I think that this project, in the long run, will help me stay focused in what I hope to accomplish, not just for 20 time.