Thursday, February 3, 2011

Exam 1 Material

Here's some links of interest:

1) Skeletal System (Video PowerPoint): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnY6l9hMOew&feature=related

2) Skeletal System (shown in class): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGTenIDJBwU

3) Integumentary System (shown in class): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Phn0ePfaX3c

4) Integumentary System (Video PowerPoint): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVAwPGycbOg

More Info: Pictures in the textbook are good for bone anatomy (markings, location, shape).

Monday, January 24, 2011

SI Objectives, Et Cetera


I’ve noted some observations from the Anatomy & Physiology class last semester, and I’ve come up with things you can do to develop a consistent and bullet-proof study technique.

If you want to get an A in this course, these should be your Cardinal Sins:

1)   Not writing next to each PowerPoint slide. Most of our learning takes place when we write things down. Even one word will suffice. Keep a separate notebook if you feel you need to take more detailed notes for an overall understanding of the course material. However, I personally feel the lecture notes are thorough enough to study from for exams, although it's good practice to browse through the textbook to look at diagrams/pictures that accompany keyterms.

2)   Not studying before the non-graded oral quizzes at the end of each chapter. Don’t ever do these quizzes for fun! I know it sounds weird, but take these quizzes seriously. This is actually a reason to turn this opportunity into one where you can identify/pinpoint weaknesses and to simulate real testing conditions. Therefore, the moral of the story is to study before every class.

3)   Don’t hesitate to ask any questions. It’s okay! It helps the educator guage the class’ general understanding of the material in lecture and it helps educators develop more effective presentations to benefit those that lack foundational knowledge. Remember that the relationship between the student and teacher is a partnership. We must work together in order to ensure that both sides are working effectively/efficiently, otherwise we’ll all fail together – and that is why point  #4 is a cardinal sin. Therefore, I encourage students (before coming to sessions) to bring a list of questions based on reading material and lecture notes, because it helps me address your weaknesses (we’ll quickly turn them into strengths!).

Add to your To-Do List

 SI Sessions - In these sessions, we will review things a little differently to help you put together the notes presented during lecture. I like to create diagrams and mnemonics to help facilitate key concepts/terms. I encourage you all to do the same.

More Information: Throughout this semester, I am going to modify this blog to include brief summaries of each video listed on here. I will leave last semester blog posts so that you can all leisurely browse through topics discussed last semester. Just note that we’re starting on Chapter 5 this semester rather than Chapter 1-4 (which are chapters that lay the foundation of this course – chemical composition and structure of livings things/Biology). Also, please check the blog postings on study strategies/techniques if you’re curious to see what you can do to correct habitual study strategies (that you feel aren’t working for you anymore). 

Good luck everyone! Stay tuned for the SI schedule (this Friday).


Monday, December 6, 2010

Chapters 22, 23, 27 Visuals

Some of you have requested to have this up early in order to study for the exam in advance. Well, I've done my best to gather the best visuals posted on Youtube. Hopefully you all find this helpful as you study for your final!


Chapter 22 (Respiratory System):

Mechanism of Breathing and Some Anatomy as well (some of the visuals are real - definitely take a look) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU_8juD3YzQ 

Body In Motion Video for the Respiratory System (great visuals! - animation and pictures): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc1YtXc_84A

Breathing Movements: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mf8xTqfspp4

Mechanics of Breathing (2 videos - very short):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWJHSTAWTCk&feature=related - part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I49XepXy3q8&feature=related - part 2

Intercostal Muscles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YRicc-73FQ&feature=related

Quick Sheet here: http://microvet.arizona.edu/courses/vsc401/pdf_files/respiratorySystem.PDF

Chapter 23 (Digestive System):

Digestive System (great overview with real-life visuals): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-n_Q0qKXzg

How The Body Works Video (shows the passage of digestion component-by-component and organ-by-organ): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCn5uvvc3WE

The Stages of Digestion (animation that shows a piece of food being broken down by the digestive process): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7jKCfx-0Mo&feature=related

Quick Animation of Peristalsis (Smooth Muscle contractions/relaxations to aid bolus down esophagus and chyme through the small intestines - notice how bolus and chyme are different words that refer to the same thing, so try to clarify that in your understanding): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwZFvX6O1O8&feature=related

Dental Anatomy Video (short) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNzT9Bm6cNE&feature=channel

Quick Sheets here:

http://microvet.arizona.edu/courses/vsc401/pdf_files/digestion.PDF (great pictures for learning teeth anatomy - ignore the metabolism stuff though)

http://microvet.arizona.edu/courses/vsc401/pdf_files/digestivePhysiology.PDF (chemical and mechanical processes of digestion all explained in a few pages)

Chapter 27 (Reproductive System)

Meiosis or Cell Division: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdQeKjEsj0U

This video covers most of the terms needed to understand the reproductive system unit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haijRTe2iCI&feature=related

Quick Sheet Here: http://microvet.arizona.edu/courses/vsc401/pdf_files/reproduction.PDF (I know this is long, but just go through this and find the key terms you need - and hopefully a visual aid has been provided to help you understand certain terms)

Good luck on your finals and hang in there! Keep up the good work!

Reminder: We have one last SI Session on Wednesday this week (12/8) at 11:30 a.m. Bring your questions!




Monday, November 15, 2010

Chapters 17, 18, 19 Visuals

Chapter 17 (Blood)

VERY Basic Animation of Blood Flow (it's a "silent" video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx-XRC_1n-Q

The Circulatory Rap Song (this is actually effective!) - this song perfectly captures, in a few minutes, what takes place when blood flows throughout the body: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0s-1MC1hcE&feature=related

Good summary of this chapter: http://microvet.arizona.edu/courses/vsc401/pdf_files/BLOOD.PDF

Chapter 18 (Heart)

Quick summary: http://microvet.arizona.edu/courses/vsc401/pdf_files/HEART.PDF

Heart Anatomy (and function) Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3vY5oyXmeI

Conduction System of Heart: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvLe2hSi84s

Heart Valves: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4A6uPld3vZI

ECG: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkKxSy9KFRU

Chapter 19 (Vessels)

Quick summary: http://microvet.arizona.edu/courses/vsc401/pdf_files/bloodVesselsHemo.PDF

Types of Blood Vessels: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjNKbL_-cwA

Video PowerPoint Presentation of Vessels (Comprehensive Review): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGWptlU3wVo

For chapter 19, know everything from the study guide (and nothing beyond it). The rest of the chapter will be covered in the next class period following your exam.

Anyway, I wish you good luck on your exams! Come to SI (before the test) if you need more visual representations in order to fully understand the concepts you are getting from lecture.




Saturday, October 16, 2010

Chapters 10, 13, 14, 16 Visuals

Hey Everyone! Sorry for the hiatus. Here's some visuals below to look at to prepare for exam #2 - for chapters 10, 13, 14, and 16. Enjoy!

ANS and Neurotransmitters:

Spinal Nerves and Reflexes (found on the PNS level in coordination with the CNS):
Muscular System:
Endocrine System:

See your book for visuals - they're probably the best you can find anywhere (I couldn't find any good cAMP as secondary messengers videos - sorry!).




Friday, September 10, 2010

Visual Aides via YouTube for Chapters 1-5

I used my spare time to find some videos on YouTube (for songs and visual lectures) for concepts students typically struggle to understand from Chapters 1-5. These shouldn't replace reading the text or lecture attendance, rather they should be used to supplement studying and to give you a visual of the main concepts. Anyway, attend SI sessions to create more memory devices in-line with understanding theories and concepts.

Here it goes...
    • Cell Theory Rap (kids rapping - I found it humorous - don't forget cell is the smallest functional living thing and differ in size, shape, subcellular components, and function e.g. nerve cells and red blood cells - two different cells with different shapes/functions/components):
        Drop me an e-mail/comment if you find any other good ones!! I know I barely scratched the surface - but I tried to give you a variety of videos made over these subjects. YouTube is definitely a friend! And I'm sure there are other websites out there that help students understand these particular concepts. Don't ignore the opportunity to succeed. Use resources around you for help - we live in the information age.

        Good luck everyone!

        Saturday, September 4, 2010

        Recommended Resources for Learning Strategies

        Below here are resources that I've compiled from a few websites. E-mail me any webpages that offer similar or better advice to students - I'm pretty sure YouTube has many videos posted on this topic. This is posted because some of the students in this course haven't learned effective techniques to maximize learning. Therefore, even though some of these pages contain "common sense" information, someone else may not feel that way about it. That's totally fine. Learning can start here.

        I recognize everyone has their own style of learning, although some cannot identify their style - you will be able to identify it after reading the articles I've posted below:

        From Study Tips
        From Academic Tips (these are tips from other students):



        Print these out and implement them in your studying - if you wish.