System Update

The first portion of this Blog will focus primarily on Form and Function of the Skin. In this section though it is easier to look at the function of the skin and then how the form accounts for that.


1.  Protects deeper tissues from Mechanical Damage, Chemical Damage, Bacterial Damage, Thermal Damage, Ultra Violet(UV) radiation and Desiccation.

• The skin is made of the Epidermis and the Dermis. The form that allows for Protection is the Epidermis. The Keratinized Cells create a hydrophobic Barrier which keeps water inside of you so you don't dry out or (Desiccate), and a physical barrier against Bacteria.
• The Keratinized Cells die off and are on the outermost part of the skin, because of this the body is able to go about the day without being injured with every little bump that comes because the dead cells just fall off and don't have pain receptors. Also this is helpful for any sort of damage because if the injury is not too deep the cells will just continue to replace themselves like always. In this way it helps protect against Mechanical Damage, Chemical Damage, and Thermal Damage. 
• The Last protection comes from the Melanocytes in the Epidermis that helps protect against UV by reflecting it, instead of letting it in. Melanin responsible for doing this.

2. Aids in Heat regulation.

• When your body is too cold then it needs to let less heat escape. The way it does this is by vasoconstriction and the Arrector Pilli Muscle contracts, which causes the hair to stand up and the muscle to produce heat. Vasoconstriction is when the capillaries move the blood deeper in the skin so that less heat escapes. These both are actions in the skin that aid in heat regulation.
• Also when your body is too hot then it need to let the heat escape so that it can cool. It does this through sweating and Vasodilation. Sweat glands release sweat to the skin. The sweat evaporates and takes some of the heat of the surface away with it. If Vasoconstriction takes the capillaries down to keep heat, then Vasodilation brings it to the surface to let heat escape. This is also why when people are hot they tend to turn a reddish color.

These are just a few of the functions of the skin it also synthesizes Vitamin D and uses the glands to Excrete.. What is very important is how Physiology has a role in homeostasis. The Physiology shows how the skin creates a barrier that protects and how it is able to maintain a normal temperature. This is all important because it is what keeps the skin doing its job so that your body won't get sick, dry out, or get too hot etc.. If the skin was unable to perform its functions because the form or the how wasn't there, then the body would die, or be subject to disease more often. The Body would be unable to maintain a constant temperature and would die from hypothermia or heat stroke. It also couldn't keep water in as easily and the body would dry out. It also wouldn't be able to produce Melanin and would be more likely to get Cancer. Also you would be more susceptible to disease because there wouldn't be a good barrier.  Homeostasis is maintained because the body works in a way that allows functions to be executed in a very efficient manner.
 
 http://hapiland.net/1267/free-online-test-structure-of-the-skin/

Write-Away Friday: Woodlawn Bus Tragedy

This week I had and have (I have performed but there are still performances tonight) the opportunity to experience and share an experience from the past. This was an accident that occurred on a bridge near Fort Sumner in 1972 the day after Christmas. There was two buses traveling from Texas to New Mexico. The first bus passed a tractor trailer and did fine. The second bus however was hit. " In the flash, Roberts (the driver of the first bus) witnessed the behemoth cattle truck and the trailing bus crash with such ferocity that the collision ripped the bus frame from its body." Nineteen people killed and sixteen of them where teenagers. I wasn't there and I don't quite think my words could even compare to that of the people who where there. The article describes the words of the victims of this accident in a way that clearly says more than I ever could.

"Survivors describe the outlines of terrifying, heart-wrenching scenes — the cries for help, the heroic, frantic efforts to comfort and tend to the injured, the limp and lifeless bodies tangled in the heap. The collision sent luggage hurtling from the back of the bus and wrenched seats loose from the floor moorings, pinning the victims.
“You knew friends were dying,” Wesson said."

This next portion of the blog is my part in Ghosts of the Past. Although I did the research in the character and added ideas to the script,  it was actually written by Megan Rupp.

 

 

 

WOODLAWN BUS TRAGEDY SCRIPT ~ LAURA COGGINS

October 2013

 

(Laura is laying on the ground partially covered by a jacket. She is dazed.)
Do you know where the bus is? I can’t find it. I should be on the bus…
I can’t believe I ruined my new dress! I just got it yesterday. It was a Christmas present. Mom only let me wear it on the trip, because I promised I wouldn’t get it ruined. Why do I always mess things up?
I can’t find the bus…
(suddenly very aware.) That’s right. I forgot. The bus is gone. There was a flash of sparks. They looked like Christmas Lights. Then there was a loud crunching sound and my head… it hurt. There was glass. It was broken. The seat was bent. I couldn’t get out! I couldn’t get out! (frantic, grabbing at stomach) Help! Help! It hurts… It hurts… (suddenly calm)
Mom’ll be mad that I ruined my new dress. How could I do that? Now I’ll never wear it to Friday Great Hall… and I was gonna finally get Jimmy to notice me… It’s not fair.
My stomach hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts! (crying) Why does it hurt? WHY? Where is the bus? I should be on the bus…
We’re going to the Bible Retreat. We’re gonna ski…and have fun…We were singing…

(singing, haltingly)

Lean on me, when you’re not strong.
And I’ll be your friend.
I’ll help you carry on.
For it won’t be long…

‘Til I’m gonna need somebody…
… to lean on.

(Laura’s eyes close and her head falls.)

 

I know history is important and that it is stories of life-changing experiences. I think remembering the past helps to honor those that have had these sorts of tragedies. As well as the bravery of those who were there helping the ones that were injured or didn't survive. So far I think my performances have captivated the audience and I have share these peoples lives with those who have come to see. I plan to also do a spectacular performance tonight to show that those people matter.

http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local/40-years-after-woodlawn-bus-tragedy-survivors-reca/nTfg4/

Write-Away Friday Ballroom Dance

1. What tasks have you completed recently?
  2. What have you learned recently? 
3. What are you planning on doing next?
I am super excited because I have started a dance class (that is more like a club) at NMSU and I am learning ballroom dance. Two weeks ago I learned the Country two step. This past week I didn't attend but I want to continue to go in the future.  I absolutely love it. I also went the next day to another dance class like this one but I missed the class portion due to other commitments and I just did the social dance after. Throughout the night I learned a little bit about a lot of dances. I did west coast swing, waltz, and a whole bunch I can't remember the name of. What was the best though was following the leads that knew how to dance. I got to do things like dips, spins, and countless other moves. I will continue to go and instead of following pathetically I will know what I am doing as I go more and more. Oh and another thing that I learned through this experience is that when you dance and "step on the other persons toes" or mess up don't say sorry. All most all of the people I danced with told me to act like I meant to do it. ( I was very bad at this).
http://inav.net/dance/ponderos.html
  

Write-Away Friday

1. What tasks have you completed recently?  
This year starting on August 11 I decided I was going to read the entire Book of Mormon again and I was going to finish it by my 17 birthday. I gave myself 52 days to complete this 500+ page book. If you can do math then you know that is about 10 pages per night. Well lets just say I procrastinated slightly and found myself reading about 20 pages for the last week in order to complete my goal.. I am proud to say that I did complete it by my Birthday, but I also learned a few things about goal making.
2. What have you learned recently? 
There is a S.M.A.R.T way to make a goal. 
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic
Timely
I had a specific goal. It was measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely, but I realized that I needed to put more energy into my goal to get it done. So with this goal I learned that just because you can do it, doesn't mean you will do it. So I learned with a goal the Best advice to have once you get a good goal is to DO IT!!! And not procrastinate. 

3. What are you planning on doing next?
Well This year in my seminary class (church class) we are studying the Book of Mormon. I have decided that I am going to read it again by the end of the school year, but I will try to study it more and make goals from it to improve my life. 

http://meridian6yw.blogspot.com/2012/07/book-of-mormon-challenge-reminder.html