Unit 5 Reflection

Unit 5 Reflection:

This unit covered the digestive system, the endocrine system (as shown in the video, and the lymphatic system (as shown in the picture). As I have learned in the Digestive System Lab, our digestive system is INCREDIBLY long, almost 6 times my original height. Our endocrine system is useful for secreting and manufacturing hormones throughout the body. The lymphatic system is used to store and transport T cells and B cells, which are useful to fight infections. This unit was a lot easier for me to comprehend in some ways because I have learned about immunity and the lymphatic system in AP biology last semester. This unit was harder for me because I had trouble keeping track of all of the different hormones and their functions. We did a digestive system lab and we measured the length of our digestive tract. This helped to put into perspective how flexible our intestines are and how much they fold to fit into our bodies. I would like to learn more about why rates of metabolism change and why so many more people may be genetically disposed to having diabetes. 

My New Year's goals were to 

1. I will start running to exercise more and strengthen the exercise pillar of health.
2. I will eat healthier by eating more fruits and vegetables on a regular basis.

I have not started running continuously yet because I had a foot injury, but I have started dance practice for Bombay in the Bay, which is making me exercise. I have started eating healthier on a regular basis and I plan to start trying to eat at least 5 fruits everyday. 

The Digestive System Lab: How Long is YOUR Digestive System?

1.  For this lab, we measured the length of our mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine to determine the length of our digestive systems. I knew beforehand that our digestive systems were a LOT longer than our full-body height, but I wasn't aware that it was almost 6 times my height. 
2. My entire digestive system was about 9.338 meters long and was approximately 6 times my height. It is able to fit inside of my abdomen because of the many folds and loops it has.
3. I think it takes about 5 hours to have all of your food move through the entire digestive tract. According to Google, it takes 6-8 hours for all of the food to pass through your system. It depends on what kind of food you eat, the amount of fiber in it, etc.
4. Digestion is the mechanical and chemical breaking down of food while absorption is where the nutrients are transferred to the bloodstream. Absorption occurs in the small intestine and large intestine while the digestion occurs in the mouth, esophagus, and stomach. 
5. I want to learn about diabetes and how it can lead to other illnesses, why people have different metabolism rates and how this affects obesity, and why obesity is so prevalent in the United States.

New Year's Resolution Goals

GOALS:

1. I will start running to exercise more and strengthen the exercise pillar of health.
1. I will buy more comfortable running shoes
2. I will eat healthier by eating more fruits and vegetables on a regular basis. 
1. I will create a balanced diet which includes at least 3 fruits everyday to begin with.