Friday, May 20, 2011

Today was the final pin test of the year: the urinary and reproductive systems of the cat. This was followed with a DVD entitled "Sperm Wars." It was an accurate, educational, and humorous depiction of sperm's epic journey to fertilize the egg in humans. It was a good finish to the unit. Next brings with it a review for the final exam, which is on Friday, the day after the UMDNJ exam.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Today we completed the last PowerPoint of the year! It included the final half of the female reproductive system, as well as an overview of the menstrual cycle, which will be the essay topic on Friday's quiz. The lecture was followed with a demonstration dissection of the pregnant cat. It turned ouot that the cat was only in the early stages of pregnancy, so any fetuses with recognizable body parts were absent. We did view the more recognizable specimens from last year's pregnant cat. Students completed the class with a review of the cat's urinary and reproductive systems for Friday's test.

Monday, May 16, 2011

We began this final week of new academic work with Day 2 of the reproductive system PowerPoint. This completed the topics of the male system and began the female aspects of the same system. The lab today included three labeled drawings as shown in Lab #43: spermatogenesis, oogenesis, and sperm structures. Students were reminded of the upcoming pin test on Friday, which will include an essay on the levels of control and feedback of the menstrual cycle (pages 559 - 561 in the textbook).
Several students missed part or all of the class due to C&A certification. PowerPoints will be posted on today's date on the Engrade calendar. Students were also reminded that Wednesday will be a dissection of the pregnant cat and the fetuses it contains, along with a review of the urinary and reproductive systems for the pin test on Friday.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Today we first had began the final A&P unit of the year: the reproductive system (chapter 16 in the text). The PowerPoint included an overview of the whole system, then a focus on the male anatomy and physiology. In dissection we moved further along with the male and female cats' system. Students turned in their urinalysis labs from the previous day, and I returned their quizzes on the nephron.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

The PowerPoint today focused on the content and control of urine and water maintenance in the body. The urinalysis that followed was an excellent lab; the students worked very well to assess and analyze their own urine as well as four other artificial urines provided by the supply company. This completes our work on the urinary system.

Monday, May 9, 2011

After the quiz labeling the technical diagram of the nephron, the topic of the PowerPoint today was urine: its content and formation. We followed this up with the completion of the DVD PhysioEx simulation: renal physiology. As this is the week for progress reports, these are the final assignments to be completed and considered for that report. Everyone seems to be looking forward to Wednesday's urinalysis lab.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Day 2 or urinary system PowerPoint was mostly with the nephron structure and function. This included a worksheet that we will use for a quiz next Monday. The lab portion of today's class was the dissection of the kidneys, bladder, and reproductive structures.