In my biology lab, I was gifted the opportunity to dissect a sheep heart during the unit of the most complicated organ, the heart. I was able to analyze the different valves, veins, and atriums firsthand all inside a classroom. This was an amazing experience for me as I was able to connect my understanding from the lessons learned in class and apply them to real life at my fingertips. This lab deepened my interest in aspects of anatomy and the pathway of blood flow across specimens.Ā
Also in my biology lab during school hours, I was able to examine a pig lung that had been infused with nicotine. This demonstrated the real life risk of the effects that smoking has on the lungs. In addition to examining it, my teacher let us touch the left lung to feel a tumor on the inferior lobe (lower part). Being able to physically see and feel the damage done to the body through smoking enhanced my understanding of how terrible smoking truly is. It is universally said that smoking is negative for your health but being able to objectively see the effects was crucial.
Lastly in the lab, I was given a raw chicken wing to play around with during the unit of muscle contraction. I was able to identify the parts essential for flexion and extension and watch the wing extend outward and inward by controlling the contraction with my own hands. Once again, being able to apply the ideas learned in class aided in my ability to identify these parts on a real life object to strengthen my understanding on how movement is produced.Ā Have you ever seen someone holding a raw chicken wing with a smile this big?Ā