Biology: Homeostasis...the final verdict

We spent this past lesson analyzing our data using Excel. Each kid entered and analyzed one of the 5 sets of data we collected. Then we discussed our results. Most of our results fit in with what we know about how the body maintains homeostasis. Following exercise our heart rate and breathing rates increased in order to bring in more oxygen and sugar, and at the same time rid our cells of accumulating waste products.

Our data on body temperature were somewhat contradictory. While on average body temperature decreased, subjects sweated more and their skin color reddened over time, both of which are ways our body regulates increasing body temperature. We all agreed that measuring body temperature is difficult and subject to a lot of error. But there's hope...

Following our analysis we read an article about the CorTemp temperature pill that can record body temperature and heart rate data continuously and wirelessly transmit this data to an external device for graphing and archiving. The pill has seen many applications in the real world for athletics, for the military, for monitoring of animal vitals, and my personal favorite...for helping food companies test exactly how much heat a hot dog can tolerate before it becomes overdone.

Biology: Homeostasis, new and improved

After 2 weeks of brainstorming, trying out mini-experiments, and working out the logistical details of how to simultaneously measure a whole bunch of different things within a short period of time, we finally carried out our new and improved homeostasis experiment. Each kid ran for 6 minutes, while the rest of the crew made observations of body temperature, skin color, perspiration level, heart rate, and breathing rate. We'll analyze our results next week.

Biology: Homeostasis

This week the kids completed their experiment on the effects of different physical activities on body temperature. The results were quite surprising. After performing activities, subjects' body temperature stayed the same or went down. Afterward we discussed sources of error and decided that there were some design issues we wanted to change. Most importantly the kids wondered whether carrying out an activity for one minute would be enough time to produce a measurable change. The kids spent the rest of the class planning out a more extended experiment in which subjects will perform 10 minutes of physical activity and the kids will observe a number of physiological changes in addition to body temperature, such as heart rate, skin color, and amount of sweating. Next week they will carry out this experiment.

Biology: Feeling hot hot hot!

This week we talked about homeostasis, the idea that our bodies need to keep things inside more or less the same despite an-ever changing outside environment. Our cells need a certain amount of oxygen, water, and energy in order to function. Furthermore, they can only carry out their metabolic processes within a particular range of temperatures. When we are in situations that challenge the status quo,the body must do something to compensate.

This week the kids designed and ran experiments to determine the effects of exercise on body temperature. Next week they will analyze their data and present their findings.

Biology: Makes the heart go pitter patter

This week we talked about homeostasis, the idea that our bodies need to keep things inside more or less the same despite an-ever changing outside environment. Our cells need a certain amount of oxygen, water, and energy in order to function. Furthermore, they can only carry out their metabolic processes within a particular range of temperatures. When we are in situations that challenge the status quo the body must do something to compensate.

This week the kids designed and ran experiments to determine the effects of exercise (loosely translated in some groups as consuming hot chocolate and candy) on breathing and heart rate. Next week they will analyze their data and present their findings.