Well, my anatomy and physiology class is in full swing. My teacher is great this time around, and I’ve learned quite a bit so far. We’ve been covering body cavities, the concept of homeostasis, cells, and today we performed a rat dissection. Cells by far have been the most challenging, with at least double the information of the previously mentioned topics to memorize. There are many components to cells, each with a very specialized function, and it is quite a bit to remember.
A great site to review cell models can be found here at CellsAlive.com.
It’s quite a bit to memorize, but I’ve been studying my notes frequently, reading answers to questions out loud instead of just in my head, and doing crossword puzzles related to the chapter I am doing. Not to mention paying attention the best as I can while in class. I need an ‘A’ in this class to keep up my momentum. Also, if by some freak chance I don’t get accepted into the program based on my high ACT score, I am going to need a 4.0 GPA to fall back on so I can apply in the Fall or admittance into the Spring semester.
A brief note on dissecting animals: it’s really not that big a deal. The smell kind of sucks, but it’s not like it’s as bad as a dead, decaying animal on the road. It’s all very sterile. Also, the animal is completely drained of their blood and the only liquid inside is the preservative. Often times, like with earthworms and frogs, dyes have even been injected to color code organs for the student to easily recognize. It’s almost like your dissecting a “fake” animal. Oh well, some people were still squeamish. It’s really not that big of a deal though. Check out this photo; it’s the actual rat I dissected today.
The concept of glycoproteins was very cool; it’s not something that I’ve ever learned about before. Basically, on the cells membrane, called a phospholipid bylayer, there are proteins that do not penetrate the membrane called peripheral proteins. These proteins have carbohydrate chains attached to them that are unique to that individual’s cells. In this way, your immune system knows not to destroy your own cells because any pathogen who has these glycoproteins will have a different chain and your body will destroy those foreign cells.
So far, so good. I’m really enjoying this class and learning quite a bit. It’s a lot of material
