Organ Systems Revisit - (1/23 - 1/27)

Image Source: https://goo.gl/Les1jl

Summary:

     Humans have several organ systems that help them function. Some organ systems humans have that help them function are: the Skeletal, Muscular, Digestive, Respiratory, Nervous, Circulatory, Urinary, and Immune System. Many animals have these organ systems, often modified to fit their environment/needs. One example of an animal that has organ systems similar to a human is a bird. A bird's respiratory system is similar to a human, but modified a little bit to fit the bird's needs. Since birds are doing many activities such as flying, they a lot of oxygen. Air sacs are sacks that are connected to the lungs that provide more oxygen to the bird. Other than the air sacs, the bird's respiratory system is very similar to a human's respiratory system. This is an example of how an animal's organ system is similar to that of a human but modified..

SP6 - Constructing Explanations:

     This week I constructed an explanation of how some of my super villain's organ systems had similar features of a bird's organ systems. I did this for four types of organ systems which were the Respiratory, Circulatory, Skeletal, and Integumentary (skin) system. Mainly, I explained that my super villain's organs had split apart or merged together to create organs similar to a bird. Case in point: the Respiratory System. I explained that the cells making the human lungs split apart into air sacs to provide the villain with more air for flight. The remnants of the original lungs are now smaller, similar to a bird's lungs. With the Integumentary System, I explained that there was a lot of blood flowing to the skin. Due to this event occurring, oil glands produce more oil and hair grows a lot faster. Groups of hair are then glued together by the oil, making something that is similar to feathers. These are two examples of what I did to explain how my villain's organ systems turned to nefarious mode.

XCC - Structure and Function:

     One structure and function relationship was in the skeletal system of the bird I was studying this week. The bones of the bird are nearly hollow, which makes them very light. Since these bones are light, the bird is significantly lighter in comparison to a bird with no hollow bones, allowing it to fly in the air. Another structure and function relationship within the organs of the bird that give it the ability to fly is the respiratory system. The respiratory system is made up of several air sacs connected to the lungs. This allows a higher oxygen supply to the bird, which also helps give it the ability to fly.