Reproductive System: Male Reproductive System

Function: to produce sperm and deliver them to the female reproductive system

sperm cell- spermatozoa

> has a head and in it is acrosome which is an enzyme that penetrates an egg cell
> has a midpiece (connects head to tail) which has the mitochondrion (the power house, attached to tail)
> has a tail or flagellum/flagella for movement which is attached to the midpiece

ORGANS for Sperm Production
1. Testicles/Testes
: produce sperm and testosterone
: 4 centimeters long, contains 250 compartments
: made of Seminiferous Tubules

2. Seminiferous Tubules
: tightly coiled, tiny tubules that produce sperm

*Scrotum - an external sac that protects the testes
ORGANS for Sperm Transport
1. Epidydimis - it stores the matured sperm cells
2. Vas Deferens - passageway of semen
3. Urethra - responsible for transmitting urine and semen
4. Penis - male organ that delivers sperm cells to the female reproductive system

*foreskin/prepuce - folded skin that protects the end/head of the penis
*Semen - combination of sperm cells and seminal fluids
*Seminal Fluids - help sperm cells go to the reproductive system

Advantages of Circumcision:
1. Low risk of urinary tract infection
2. Protection against penile cancer
3. Lower risk of sexually transmitted disease

Accessory Glands of the Male Reproductive System
1. Seminal Vesicles - secretes thick liquid nutrient-filled fluid and has the sugar fructose
2. Prostate Gland - secretes milky alkaline solution that aids the viability of the sperm cells
3. Bulbouretheral gland (Cowper's gland) - secretes mucus substance

*accessory glands make seminal fluids that aids the sperm cells in its journey to the acidic nature of the female reproductive system*

-female reproductive system is acidic for protection from harmful

ENGLISH II: Asian Dramas

Sanskrit Drama
BHASA: earliest known playwright
KHALIDASA: one of the most reknowned (Shakuntala/Sakuntala)
Characteristics:
-reformed in palaces
-highly-styled music, gesture, costume
-Laden with religious and supernatural elements and happy endings
-Language alternates from prose and lyric poetry
-Sanskrit: used only by important characters

Chinese Drama
-Yuan Dynasty: drama sprung from stories by professional storytellers, and it used sentimental and romantic plots
-Ming Dynasty: drama was a mixture of music and declamation: and it used plots of popular novels
Characteristics:
-performed in many villages
-stories are filled with stock characters yet also ranged in mood
-filled with Confucian ethics
-usually "formless" (Ex: Palace of Eternal Youth)
-"Spectacular" or "Symbolic"

Japanese Drama
NOH Drama (14th century)
ZEAMI MOTOKIYO: brought Noh to refinement
-Developed from sarugaku and dengaku
Characteristics of NOH:
-Symbolic, poetic language
-Almost plot-less, tragic in mood
-stylized and slow paced
-integrates speech, music, dance and mime
-actors woe masks and are all male
-setting is place of importance to: "Shite"

KYOGEN
-Developed about the same time as the Noh
-20-minute farce placed between Noh plays as comic relief

NINGYO-SHIBAI
-Like Kabuki, this places greater emphasis on excitement and conflict in the plot

KABUKI
-features much stage action
-avoids the use of vague symbolism
-continues to be popular in Japan (geisha culture)
-most popular
-played only by men

BIOLOGY: Digestive System

Digestive System
: breaks down food into molecules that can be absorbed and utilized by the cells of the body
: a long , hollow tube called the gastrointestinal tract or GI tract

ACTIVITIES INVOLVED IN THE DIGESTIVE PROCESS:
1. Digestion - breakdown of food into simpler molecules that can be absorbed by the body

• Mechanical digestion - breaks food into pieces w/o the changing of the chemical structure
• Chemical digestion - food is broken down into smaller, simpler molecules (chemical structure is altered)

2. Absorption - cells absorb H2O, minerals and other materials essential to life from their environment

3. Elimination - removal of waste


PARTS OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

1. MOUTH - the teeth and tongue begin mechanical digestion (mastication a.k.a chewing)
-Amylase in the saliva begins the chemical digestion of starch

TEETH - tear and crush the moistened food

3 Basic Shapes (teeth)
a. Incisors - the sharp, front teeth (biting and tearing pieces of food)
b. Canines - pointed teeth (tear and shred food)
c. Molars - teeth at the back mouth, have large top surfaces (crush and grind food)

TONGUE - push the food to the esophagus
Saliva gland- produces saliva
Saliva
: dissolves food molecules
: contains LYSOZYME that fights infection by digesting the cell wall of many bacteria


2. ESOPHAGUS - muscular tube which carries the bolus (chewed food, partially digested food) and liquids from the throat to the stomach

• Peristalsis - wave-like contractions of smooth muscles that move food into the digestive tract
• Epiglottis - small flap of tissue that directs the proper passageway of air and food

3. STOMACH - a muscular sac with thick, expandable walls
- when the stomach walls contract strongly...
mixing and churning the food (mechanical) begins the action of hydrochloric acid (HCI) and an enzyme called Pepsin (chemical)

• Gastrin - stimulates secretion of HCI (hydrochloric acid)
• HCI - converts pepsinogen to pepsin
  
• Pepsin - breaks down proteins
• Chyme - partially digested food + digestive secretions

4. SMALL INTESTINE (18 to 23 ft. long)
- site for the complete digestion and absorption of food
- provided with thousands of tiny finger-like projections called villi

3 parts of the Small Intestine:
1. Duodenum - the first 12 inches of the small intestine
2. Jejunum - where most of the nutrients are absorbed into the blood
3. Ileum - where the remaining nutrients are absorbed before moving into the large intestine

5. LARGE INTESTINE
- also known as colon
- absorbs left over H2O , salts, and vitamins
- remaining materials are compacted into feces
- final 6 inches (rectum)

PANCREAS
- produces hormones (insulin) that regulate sugar levels
- produces sodium bicarbonate that neutralizes the stomach acid

LIVER - produces bile

Bile - breakdowns lipids

BIOLOGY: Integumentary System

Integumentary System
> consists of the skin and skin derivatives (hair, nails, glands)
> largest organ in the body


I. EPIDERMIS
> outermost layer, 10 to 30 cells thick
> composed of epithelial tissues


EPI- : meaning outside or outer or above


Types of Epidermal Cells


1. Keratinocytes - produces the keratin

Keratin: creates a barrier to protect deeper layers of the skin from injury and microbial invasion
: makes the skin water-proof

2. Melanocytes : produces the pigment melanin

Melanin: brown-black pigment that contributes to skin color
:absorbs UV light (for protection from skin cancer)

-the more the melanin, the darker the skin; the darker the skin, the more protection from skin cancer-

Layers of the Epidermis

1. Stratum Corneum : consists of flat, dead cells completely filled with keratin
> cells are continuously shed and replaced
FUNCTION: barrier against light, heat, bacteria and many chemicals

2. Stratum Lucidum : consists of layers of clear, flat, dead cells
> more obvious in the thick skin of the palms and soles

3. Stratum Granulosum : consists of layers of flattened cells that develop darkly straining granules

4. Stratum Spinosum : consists of layers of many-sided cells that fit closely together

5. Stratum : also called stratum germinativum or stratum basale
: a single layer made up of stem cells which are capable of continued cell division

Layers 1-4 (stratum corneum, stratum lucidum, stratum granulosum, stratum spinosum) are made out of dead cells while layer 5 (stratum a.k.a stratum germinativum a.k.a. stratum basale) is made out of living cells that performs continuous cell division.

Corneum - 'horny'
Lucidum - 'clear'
Granulosum - granules
Spinosum - spiney
Germinate - to produce new cells

II. DERMIS
> composed of connective tissue containing collagen and elastic fibers

Collagen - proteins that make the skin flexible, elastic and strong
: blood vessels, nerves, glands, and hair follicles are embedded in the


Smooth Muscle/ Arrector Pili : connected to hair follicles to the tissues of the skin

Sebaceous Glands : produces sebum (oils)

Sweat Glands : produces perspiration

epidermis - means 'above the dermis'
hypodermis - means 'under the dermis' and is made of fats

III. Subcutaneous Layer (a.k.a Superficial Fascia or Hypodermis)
> fat layer which insulates the body and stored energy

EPIDERMAL DERIVATIVES:

1. Hair or Pili : composed of colums of dead keratinized cells

Arrector Pili: smooth muscle that is attached to a hair
: its contraction pull the hair into a vertical position

2. Sebaceous gland : secretes sebum (misture of fats, cholesterol, etc.)

FUNCTIONS of Sebum:
-helps keep hair from drying and becoming brittle
- prevents excessive water evaporation
- keeps skin soft and pliable

3. Suderiferous (sweat glands) : produces sweat (perspiration)

PRINCIPLE FUNCTION: helps regulate body temperature through evporative cooling also eliminates a small amount of waste from the body

4. Nail : plate of lightly packed, hard keratinized cells of the epidermis

FUNCTIONS OF THE SKIN (a.k.a. Integumentary System)
1. Regulates body temperature

2. Protects from abrasion, bacteria, dehydration and UV (Ultra Violet) rays

3. Sensation detects stimuli related to temperature, touch, pressure, and pain

4. Excretion : removes heat, water, waste materials

5. Immunity: 1st line of defense

6. Synthesis of vitamin D: begins with the activation or a starting material in the skin by UV rays

BIOLOGY: Levels of Organization

1. MOLECULAR LEVEL - (smallest) molecules are made up of atoms e.g. dna atoms
2. CELL - basic unit of life e.g. blood cells, plant cells, brain cells
3. TISSUE - a group of cells that perform a specific function

Types of Tissues: Muscle Tissue - a group of cells that are specialized for contraction and movement -3 types of muscle tissues:

• Skeletal - voluntary, striated (legs, arms..)
  
• Cardiac - involuntary, striated (heart)
  
• Smooth - involuntary, unstriated (inner tissues)

Epithelial/Epithelium Tissue - a tissue that covers the body and its organs -secretes chemical substances (like sebum, perspiration) Connective Tissue - the tissue that binds together, supports and protects body structures - stores and transports materials -4 types of connective tissues:

• Bone tissue e. g. bones, tendons, ligaments
• Cartilage tissue e. g. cartilage (found in ears, nose)
• Adipose tissue e. g. fats
• Vascular tissue e. g. blood

Nervous Tissue - the tissue that carries information throughout the body -made of neuron (nerve cells)

axon - carries impulses away from the cell body - covered with schwann cells

dendrites - carries impulses away from the cell body (soma)

4. ORGANS - a group of tissues that work together to perform a common function

Organ Systems - made up of several organs working together to perform a function