Station

1: Monitoring Your Heart

Step 1: Using a Sphygmomanometer
• Follow the instructions in the Mini Investigation on page 477 of your text (steps 1-9)
• Create a table like the one below (Table 1) and record each group member’s blood pressure at
three different times: (1) after 2 minutes of sitting quietly, (2) immediately after standing up,
and (3) after 2 minutes of standing

Table 1: Blood pressure readings (mm Hg) after different stimuli [EXAMPLE]
Group Member After 2 Minutes of Immediately after After 2 Minutes of
Sitting Standing Standing

Ms. Stevenson 110/70


Step 2: Measuring Heart Rate
• Complete the same experiment as above by taking your pulse at your radial or carotid artery for
10 seconds after each change in position (beats after 10 seconds x 6 = bpm)
• Record your results in another table

Table 2: Heart rate readings (beats per minute) after different stimuli [EXAMPLE]
Group Member After 2 Minutes of Immediately after After 2 Minutes of
Sitting Standing Standing

Ms. Stevenson 78


Step 3: Analysis
1. What were you measuring when you were using a sphygmomanometer? What do the values
mean?
2. Is there any variation in readings among your group? If so, why do you think there is variation
among individuals? If not, why do you think there is no variation among individuals?
3. What happens after you abruptly change positions?
4. Do you notice any trends in the data? If so, brainstorm the possible causes of these trends.
5. Is there any correlation between your blood pressure readings and heart rate readings?
6. What are some factors that may influence your blood pressure and heart rate?

Extension:
• Try measuring your blood pressure and heart rate after different types of stimuli (i.e., jumping
jacks for 3 minutes). Record your findings. Do they follow the trends seen above?



 Station 2: Blood & Its Path – Under the Microscope

Human Blood: Microviewer
Introduction:
1. How much blood is in the body?
2. How many miles of blood vessels are in the body? (Convert to metric)
3. List 3 substances that the blood delivers

Slide 1 – Human Blood Smear:
1. List as many components of blood in this slide as you can
2. Describe the appearance and composition of plasma
3. What are the functions of globulins and albumins?
4. What part of blood plasma is needed for clotting blood?

Slide 2 – Red Corpuscles (Red Blood Cells):
1. Name the red component in the RBC
2. What is the overall shape of the RBC? Why is it this shape?
3. What is the function of the RBC’s?

Slide 3 – White Corpuscles (White Blood Cells):
1. List the functions of white corpuscles
2. Which WBC is the most ferocious eater of bacteria?
3. Which WBC produces antibodies?

Slide 4 – Phagocytosis:
1. A phagocyte is a “swallowing” cell. What has the leukocyte on the left swallowed?
2. What process in the cell will break “B” apart?
3. What parts of leucocytes help them move and engulf foreign particles?

Slide 7 – Sickle Cells:
1. Sketch a healthy red blood cell and an abnormal (sickle) cell. Label them.
2. What causes sickle cells?
3. What are the effects of sickle cells?

Arteries, Veins, & Capillaries: Microscope Slides
Note: These slides are cross sections. This means you will be looking for the openings of different blood
vessels and examining the thickness of their walls

1. View both slides at 4x, 10x, and 40x and locate the different blood vessels
2. Discuss, and don’t forget to record, the following:
• Compare and contrast the size of each blood vessel (focus on the thickness of the walls)
• What does the size of the walls tell us about each blood vessel?
• Can you see any red blood cells?
 Station 3: Heart in Your Hands

Practice, practice, practice. At this station, you will use the large heart model and human anatomy
model (who will be referred to as “Muscle Man” henceforth) to practice identifying and describing the
structure and function of the human circulatory system. Be sure to “reset” the organs once you finish.

“Muscle Man”
1. Identify and record the three types of circulation in the body
2. Map the types of circulation using either tape and yarn or by recording the numbers that follow
the blood vessels. Note: if you use tape and yarn, take a photo and load it to the google form
3. Name the structures that correspond with the following numbers:
• 201 • 208 • 219
• 202 • 210 • 220
• 203 • 213 • 221
• 205 • 214 • 228
• 206 • 215
• 207 • 216
4. Locate the approximate location of the Sinoatrial Node and Atrioventricular Node, record the
number closest to them
5. Extension: Find the green linked structures are on muscle man’s exterior. What do they
represent? How are they connected to the circulatory system?

Large Heart Model
1. Using tape and yarn illustrate the path of blood flow through the heart (note: two of the valves
are closed)
2. Describe the cardiac cycle, using appropriate terminology, and follow along using the model
3. Practice identifying the structures without using your notes

Concept Questions
1. Explain why there is a difference in the thickness of the walls of the atria and the walls of the
ventricles.
2. Cardiac muscle is myogenic, but the nervous system can influence the heart rate. Explain this
apparent contradiction.
3. Compare and contrast systole and diastole.









 Station 4: Changing Technology

We wouldn’t know as much as we do about the heart if it wasn’t for technology. At this station, you
will read an excerpt from Rob Dunn’s book The Man Who Touched His Own Heart. While reading this
passage you make a list of the technology that could have been helpful to Williams during one of the
first ever recorded heart surgeries. Once you have finished your group will choose one of the
technologies and discuss what it is and how it is used today. This will require extra research. Use your
devices!

Step 1: Read “I Will Fix Your Heart” (link if you would like to read on your phone: http://bit.ly/2i0q0L7)

Step 2: Make a list of medical technologies mentioned in the piece

Step 3: As a group, choose one of the technologies and discuss the following:
• What it is
• How it’s used
• Who it benefits

Step 4: Record your thoughts and submit

Station 1


Station 2

 Station 3


Station 4