Week 5 – Discussion

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Your initial discussion thread is due on Day 3 (Thursday) and you have until Day 7 (Monday) to respond to your classmates. Your grade will reflect both the quality of your initial post and the depth of your responses. Refer to the Discussion Forum Grading Rubric under the Settings icon above for guidance on how your discussion will be evaluated.

Immune, Gastrointestinal, and Renal Systems

Various chronic diseases and disorders can affect our immune, gastrointestinal, and urinary systems, as described in Chapters 14, 15 and 16 of your course text.  In your initial post:

• Briefly describe the normal function of these three systems and associated organs. 
• Choose and briefly describe one chronic disease or disorder for each of the three systems and explain how the diseases/disorders alter the normal function.
• Examine potential causes for the disease or disorder and list signs and symptoms that indicate the disease has developed.
• Analyze actions people can take to reduce their risk of developing the chronic disease or disorder.  Briefly explain how these actions would impact the environment.

Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length.  Use medical terminology, your course text, and at least one additional scholarly resource to support your points. All sources must be referenced and cited according to APA guidelines as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center .  

Week 4 – Discussion

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Your initial discussion thread is due on Day 3 (Thursday) and you have until Day 7 (Monday) to respond to your classmates. Your grade will reflect both the quality of your initial post and the depth of your responses. Refer to the Discussion Forum Grading Rubric under the Settings icon above for guidance on how your discussion will be evaluated.

Cardiovascular and Respiratory Activity

Explain the function of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems as well as how these systems work together to meet the demands of activity. Discuss the process of gas exchange as well as coronary artery disease and chronic obstructive disease and explain how these chronic diseases can lead to dysfunction of these systems.

To complete the following activity, you will need paper, a pen, and a clock or stopwatch with a second hand. To begin, take the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (Links to an external site.) (PAR-Q). The PAR-Q is a screening tool to determine if a person should check with his or her doctor prior to completing an exercise program. You do not need to sign or submit the form. This is for your use only. If it is determined that you should not exercise, please find an adult (18 years of age or older) family member or friend to complete the assessment for you who has been cleared to exercise through the PAR-Q assessment. You can record the results of your partner.

• Measure resting heart rate (refer to page 13 of the text on how to take a pulse).  Count your respirations in 1 minute. Record results.
• If you are able to safely do so, exercise for 3 minutes (jog in place, do jumping jacks, jump rope, push-ups, sit ups, etc.)
• Immediately take your pulse for 10 seconds. Record that number.  Have your partner record your respirations for 1 minute.
• Rest for 5 minutes. Take your pulse again for 10 seconds. Count your breaths again for 1 minute.

In your initial post:

• Enter the results from the heart rate activity above.
• Describe the function of the cardiovascular system and the respiratory system and how they work together.
• Describe how the cardiovascular system adjusts to meet the demands of exercise. Use appropriate terminology such as stroke volume, respirations, and pulse.
• Describe why an untrained person’s heart rate and breathing rate would take longer to return to a resting rate compared to a person who is in good physical condition.
• Explain the relationship between heart rate and breathing rate during physical activity.
• Discuss contributing factors to coronary artery disease (CAD).  Explain how CAD leads to dysfunction of the cardiovascular system.
• Discuss contributing factors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Explain how COPD leads to dysfunction of the respiratory system.

Use two scholarly sources (one may be your course text) to support your initial post. All sources must be referenced and cited according to APA guidelines as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length.

Week 3 – Discussion

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Your initial discussion thread is due on Day 3 (Thursday) and you have until Day 7 (Monday) to respond to your classmates. Your grade will reflect both the quality of your initial post and the depth of your responses. Refer to the Discussion Forum Grading Rubric under the Settings icon above for guidance on how your discussion will be evaluated.

Nervous System and Endocrine System

Last names that begin with A through M: Select the nervous system for your initial post. 

• Choose one of the CDC’s five most common chronic diseases (heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, or arthritis) and describe the anatomical and physiological changes associated with the nervous system.  Describe normal function of the system and how the disease alters the normal function.  List signs and symptoms that indicate the disease has developed, specific to the system being covered.  Identify and describe steps people can take to reduce their risk of developing the chronic disease

Last names that begin with N through Z: Select the endocrine system for your initial post.

• Choose one of the CDC’s five most common chronic diseases (heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, or arthritis) and describe the anatomical and physiological changes associated with the endocrine system.  Describe normal function of the system and how the disease alters the normal function.  List signs and symptoms that indicate the disease has developed, specific to the system being covered.  Identify and describe steps people can take to reduce their risk of developing the chronic disease.

Use two scholarly sources (one may be your course text) to support your initial post. All sources must be referenced and cited according to APA guidelines as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Your initial post should be 250 words at a minimum.

Your initial discussion thread is due on Day 3 (Thursday) and you have until Day 7 (Monday) to respond to your classmates. Your grade will reflect both the quality of your initial post and the depth of your responses. Refer to the Discussion Forum Grading Rubric under the Settings icon above for guidance on how your discussion will be evaluated.

Integumentary System

Although the integumentary system is the largest organ of the human body, it is often overlooked. It has many essential functions in protecting the body.  In your initial post:

• Discuss a minimum of three functions of the integumentary system. 
• Explain the location, composition, and special features of the three layers of skin.
• Explain the importance of the function of sweat and sebaceous glands and the difference between apocrine and eccrine glands.

Use two scholarly sources (one may be your course text) to support your initial response. All sources must be referenced and cited according to APA guidelines as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length.

Week 2 – Discussion 1

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Your initial discussion thread is due on Day 3 (Thursday) and you have until Day 7 (Monday) to respond to your classmates. Your grade will reflect both the quality of your initial post and the depth of your responses. Refer to the Discussion Forum Grading Rubric under the Settings icon above for guidance on how your discussion will be evaluated.

Musculoskeletal System

Last names that begin with A through M: Select the muscular system for your initial post.

• Describe the location and the function of the muscular system.  Define the different types and functions of muscles. Explain how muscles receive energy and how muscular contraction occurs. Define what factors influence the force of muscular contractions.

Last names that begin with N through Z:  Select the skeletal system for your initial post.

• Describe the location and the function of the skeletal system. Explain the different classifications of bone and provide at least two examples of each type. Further, explain the process of bone growth and repair.

Use two scholarly sources (one may be your course text) to support your initial post. All sources must be referenced and cited according to APA guidelines as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length.

Week 1 – Discussion 2

4040 unread replies.6363 replies.

Your initial discussion thread is due on Day 3 (Thursday) and you have until Day 7 (Monday) to respond to your classmates. Your grade will reflect both the quality of your initial post and the depth of your responses. Refer to the Discussion Forum Grading Rubric under the Settings icon above for guidance on how your discussion will be evaluated.

Human Activity

The human body is simply amazing! However, certain factors or actions can positively or negatively impact our health and well-being.  Think of how genetics, diet, exercise, tobacco, alcohol, sleep, sanitation and safety measures, condoms, and stress influence our overall health. 

• Based on your knowledge and experience, evaluate two factors or actions that promote our health status as well as two factors or actions that can cause dysfunction and result in disease.
• Identify two diseases that could result from factors or actions you examined above. Which body system(s) will be impacted by the diseases?
• Briefly analyze two effects human activity and lifestyle habits have on our environment (air quality, food and water quality, waste, recycling, etcetera).

Use medical terminology and two scholarly sources to support your research and findings (one may be your course text).  All sources must be referenced and cited according to APA guidelines as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length.

Week 1 – Discussion 1

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Your initial discussion thread is due on Day 3 (Thursday) and you have until Day 7 (Monday) to respond to your classmates. Your grade will reflect both the quality of your initial post and the depth of your responses. Refer to the Discussion Forum Grading Rubric under the Settings icon above for guidance on how your discussion will be evaluated.

Overview of Systems

In this course, the 12 systems of the human body (skeletal, muscular, integumentary, nervous, special senses, endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, lymphatic/immune, gastrointestinal, renal, and reproductive) are explored.  For this discussion, you will choose and locate two body systems. Then, for each chosen body system you will: 

• Briefly describe its major physiological functions. 
• Identify the associated organs. 
• Explain the relationship between normal system function and dysfunction. 
• Provide one example of how dysfunction can lead to disease. 
• Examine the interdependence of physiological systems in both health and disease.
• Briefly describe the importance of homeostasis as it relates to our health.

Use medical terminology and two scholarly sources to support your research and findings (one may be your course text).  All sources must be referenced and cited according to APA guidelines as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length.