Unit 5 Reflection

In this unit, we learned about metabolism, the endocrine system, and the lymphatic system. With metabolism, there are three main states: the fed state, the fasting state, and the starvation state. In the fed state, large molecules are broken down, the small molecules are turned into acetyl coA, and the krebs cycle begins. Sugar is absorbed and the pancreas releases insulin to the body. Moving to the next state, the fasting state, your body begins to break down the glycogen to use for energy; however, if you run out of glycogen, your body then turns to amino acids and triglycerides to turn into glucose so that your body has energy. The last state, the starvation state, occurs after four to five days of not eating. In this state your body begins to turn to other sources as a source for energy, such as adipose tissue and ketone bodies. In the endocrine system, its main functions are to control the process involved in movement and physiological equilibrium and secrete hormones into the blood. The glands in the endocrine system produce hormones that regulate certain parts in the body. For example, the thyroid gland produces the hormone amines, which stimulates and maintains the metabolic processes. The lymphatic systems main functions within the body are: immunity, lipid absorption, and fluid recovery. 
During this unit, I read an article that described how there are three different types of human body types: mesomorphs, athletic builds; endomorphs, "bigger" bodies; and ectomorphs,very thin builds. A lot can effect the "speed" of your metabolism based upon what type of body type an individual may have. Ectomorphs unique build makes them the more likely individuals to have a faster metabolism. These individuals normally have small shoulders and very little muscle mass. Ectomorphs, on the other hand, may have a more difficult time gaining weight and muscle due to their overly fast metabolism. For example of a individuals metabolism could be hyperthyroidism-or a overactive thyroid gland- can potentially be a cause. Other causes can include: "nervousness, fatigue, a rapid heart rate and weight loss are usual signs of hyperthyroidism." Surprisingly, a individual may have a faster metabolism if they smoke, as well as if your body is under stress, this could also speed up your metabolism (http://www.earlytorise.com/fast-metabolism/). I would still like to explore the causes of diabetes and why some individuals have said that it could be hereditary. 
My years goals have been difficult to keep up with, due to the amount of homework, tests, and stress during the semester. I have not been able to balance the work and receive a "healthy" amount of sleep each night; however, I am trying to learn how to balance the work load and keep my sleep debt low. 

The Digestion System Lab Questions

1. Through this activity, it allowed us to be able to visualize how small or large the size of our organs are. Being able to compare the relative size and length of the varying parts of our digestive tract allowed each individual to see how the intestines vary for each person.

DIGESTIVE ORGAN	COLOR and LENGTH (CM)
Mouth	10 centimeters  silver
Esophagus	49 centimeters  gold
Stomach	16.5 centimeters  red
Small Intestine	675 centimeters  white
Large Intestine	168.9 centimeters  green
TOTAL	919.4 centimeters

2. My height is 1.67 meters while my digestive tract is 9.194 meters. This means that my digestive tract is nine times longer than my height. The intestines are folded onto itself and has many ripples reducing its surface area and allows it to fit inside your abdomen. 

3. Depending on what an individual consumes, the time varies. If he or she eats complex proteins, it could take up to eight hours, while water or fruit go much quicker, and leafy greens should take around two to three hours. According to the Mayo Clinic, "Total transit time, from eating to elimination in stool, averaged 53 hours (although that figure is a little overstated, because the markers used by the researchers passed more slowly through the stomach than actual food). The average transit time through just the large intestine (colon) was 40 hours, with significant difference between men and women: 33 hours for men, 47 hours for women." 

4. Digestion breaks down the food that is consumed into smaller pieces, while absorption takes in needed nutrients from the food consumed. Most of the protein digestion occurs in the stomach, and most of the chemical digestion and absorption occurs in the small intestine. 

5. If one organ of the digestion tract shuts down or fails to work, is that fatal to the individual? Can an individual live without any of the digestion tract organs and live a "normal" life?

New Year's SMART Goals

1. Reviewing notes and studying during the duration of the unit, rather than the night before.
Action plan: Rather than rushing to study the night before a test or temp check, after every lecture I will make flashcards of the key questions and the vocabulary in order to start quizzing myself along the way. Being able to quiz myself earlier on and fully learning the information- instead of cramming the night before- will allow me to do improve my scores, can let me stress less, and be able to sleep more.

2. Restart gymnastics and regain my old skills before college.
Action plan: In order to tryout for college cheer there are a list of requirements that an individual needs to have to be able to make the team. After high school cheer is over in the spring, I will be returning to gymnastics in order to regain some of my old tumbling and learn newer skills that will allow me to meet all of the requirements for college cheer. Many of the schools have a tryout date, but since I will still be in school, I will need to submit a video of every requirement that school has. I hope to be able to perfect these newer skills by the earlier months of this year.