Unit 6 Reflection

Unit 6 was centralized around the nervous system, along with it's physiology and how it communicates with the body. The main themes in this unit were how do different senses react to a certain environment and how does the body communicate with itself. We first learned about sensation vs. perception, where the brain interprets messages through perception while sensation is where we receive input from our environment. We also have different receptors that interpret our environment: thermoreceptors (temperature), Pain receptors, Photoreceptors (eyes), Chemoreceptors (chemicals), and mechanoreceptors (movement). We learned about these receptors during our reflex lab, in which we tested common reflexes in the human body. For example, our photoreceptors were used when testing our photopupilary reflex, or when our eye is exposed to light after a while in the dark. These reflexes are made possible due to neurons, which send electrical impulses through their myelin sheaths that communicate to the body what to do. One of the first readings in the chapter was the "How to Become a "Superager", in which the article talked about how vigorous mental and physical exercises can have 60+ year olds be just as smart as their 20 year old counterparts. Our second reading was the "Fit Body, Fit Brain", in which the article discussed that any type of exercise can add unused neurons to the brain and sharpens thinking skill. Exercising can also reduce their telomere reductions, preventing neurological diseases too. Our last reading was the "How to Get Addicted" reading, where the article discusses how addiction is in fact a neurological disease such as obesity, as the brain is wired to eat instead of being normal. One of the main readings in the unit was the "Women Perpetually Falling", as it talked about future cures for paralysis and diseases involving the brain and spinal cord. My main strength in the unit was knowing the difference between perception and sensation, as the two are greatly different but can sometimes be confused. My other greatest strength was knowing which type of receptors belonged to which organ or sense. However, my main weakness was the physiology of a neuron, as I am puzzled about how it can communicate messages instantly throughout the body. I would like to learn more about different reflexes in the body, since I find it appealing that these reflexes naturally occur in our body. I would also like to learn more about how the brain matures as we get older too.
As of my New Year goals, I am currently failing one, getting an A in Anatomy and Physiology. My final grade comes out to about an 87.5 percent after all tests have been submitted. The tests have been a major reason as to why my grades have been getting lower. To resolve this, I plan to study more rigorously, and rematch past vodcasts to ace the next test. However, I am succeeding in my second new year goal, getting bigger in hopes of playing college football. I have recently been given a scholarship by Puget Sound to play defensive line in exchange of taking two years of tuition debt off my record. I have also noticed people complimenting me recently, saying I have been getting bigger and more built.

That is it as of now. Check back soon for future labs and updates!