BIOL 204 Lab Report Assignment
Variables Affecting Human Arterial
Pressure and Pulse Rate
The purpose of this assignment is to familiarize you with the techniques of writing a lab report
and to allow you to analyze and interpret data regarding variables that are known to affect
human arterial pressure and pulse rate.
General Guidelines:
1.
Although you worked with a partner (or partners) while collecting the data, you must
write your own, individual lab report in your own words.
2.
The lab report must be typed and double spaced. Number all of the pages.
3.
Be as concise as possible. Be specific in your wording. The best lab reports are
those in which every word is meaningful. Strive for logic and precision. Avoid
ambiguous statements. Keep the writing impersonal – avoid the use of “I”, “we,”
and/or “they”. Do not use the subject’s personal name. Instead, use “subject 1,”
“subject 2,” and so on.
4.
Proofread your report before submitting it for grading. Mistakes in grammar and
spelling will be factors in your final grade. Have a neutral person review and critique
you report before you submit it. If you need help, see your lab instructor or the LAC.
5.
The report needs to be written in sufficient detail so that a person with the same
background as you (e.g. one of your classmates) can read and understand the
report.
6.
Do not say that the purpose was accomplished and then say nothing to explain
beyond that. You must include data from the lab results to demonstrate that the
purpose was accomplished (and how).
7.
Do not just list the data. Remember, you are supposed to DISCUSS the data.
8.
Read all of the directions and refer to the discussion guidelines (page 4).
9.
The lab report should be submitted through Canvas and will be checked for
plagiarism. In order to receive a grade, the originality report score from the website
must be less than 25%.
Plagiarism:
Academic honesty is always required in collegiate and professional writing. This means that
students must use their own thoughts and materials in the writing of their papers. Proper
credit must be given to all information sources. The lab report must be submitted to
Turnitin.com (through Canvas) and a hard copy provided to your instructor (if needed –
instructor’s discretion). Pay attention to the following recommendations to avoid plagiarism:
1
Throughout the lab report make sure to use in-text citations when quoting or paraphrasing
another author’s words, phrases, and ideas. Merely rearranging another author’s writing still
constitutes as plagiarism.
Be careful not to copy ideas, sentences, or phrases used by another student as this
constitutes plagiarism. It makes no difference which student copied or which student
provided the information. Both students will receive a “0” for the assignment.
When explaining physiology, read appropriate textbooks and material, then write the
concepts in your own words. Even when paraphrasing scientific ideas, you must include an
in-text citation.
The HCC Policies and Procedures regarding academic honesty will be strictly adhered
to. HCC defines academic honesty as “[T]he use of one’s own thoughts and materials in the
writing of papers, taking of tests, and other classroom related activities. Any student
intentionally aiding another student in any infraction of the Academic Honesty Policy is
considered equally guilty.” Refer to HCC’s 2013-2014 Student Handbook (page 61) or the
college website for a complete description of College policies and procedures
(http://www.howardcc.edu/studentactivities/studenthandbookcfm).
Format:
Title Page:
(1 point)
Page 1 is the title page. In bold print, write:
An Informative Title
Course Name and Section
Your Name
Name of Lab Partners
Date the Report is Submitted
Purpose
(1 point)
A concise, specific statement, in paragraph form, of the reasons or purposes for
performing the experiments.
Results
(3 points)
This section is used to present your results. Present your data in the form of
tables, graphs, or figures as appropriate. Make sure that all units of measurement
are included. Also, makes sure that every table, graph, and figure is appropriately
titled and labeled. Please do not resubmit the data sheet from the lab manual.
Discussion
(18 points)
You should include hypotheses for each experiment performed. Refer to the pre-lab
section of Lab 6 (pages 6.18-6.20). Hypothesis statements are about what you
expect to happen during the experiment. Discussion is the most difficult and important
section. Tackle each data set, one at a time, as follows: provide a brief summary, and
follow with a detailed and specific explanation. Think about the hypothesis you made
and consider the physiological mechanisms that might explain your results.
It is important to interpret the data that you collected, not simply restate it.
Are your results in agreement with your hypotheses? Relate the results to existing
theory and knowledge. Refer to the homework assignment on week 5 for familiar
terms to be used in discussion. Select a pathway using the attached handout
(page 4). Choose at least one pathway for each experiment to explain
(analyze) why the blood pressure and pulse rate went up or down.
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Discuss this and try to explain any discrepancies. What are the main points of
uncertainty in interpreting your data? You may speculate, but acknowledge that
you are doing this. Include any suggestions that you may have for improving the
design of the experiment. If you use information from other sources to support
your discussion, you must cite the reference (4-8 pages maximum).
**Be careful to include in-text citations, and use quotation marks for any material
directly quoted.
References:
(2 points)
Marieb, Elaine M. Human Anatomy and Physiology, 8th Edition. The Benjamin/
Cummings Publishing Company, Inc. (2010), pp. 705-706.
Use APA format for citations within the paper and in your reference list. Consult
http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/citex.html if you are unfamiliar with this
format. Another site to consult would be
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resources/560/02.
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BIOL 204 Lab Report
Discussion Guidelines
Use one of the following pathways to explain the changes in blood pressure during your
experiments:
MAP =
CO
X
Resistance
Length X Viscosity
=
(Radius)4
CO
=
HR
X
SV
=
EDV - ESV
Sympathetic Nervous System
 SV:  EDV ( venous return)
 ESV ( strength of
ventricular contractions)
(release of epinephrine, norepinephrine)
e.g.: emotions, stress, exercise, excitement
 SV:  EDV ( VR)
 ESV ( strength of
ventricular contractions)
Other factors that influence MAP and pulse rate:
1.
Activation of Baroreceptors:
(Pressoreceptors)
located in the aorta and carotid
arteries; detect changes in
arterial pressure
2.
Activation of Chemoreceptors
located in the aorta and carotid
arteries; detect changes in pO2
and pH (related to pCO2)
3.
Bainbridge (Right Atrial) Reflex:
increased right atrial pressure
leads to an increase in heart rate
4.
Frank Starling Law
increased stretch of cardiac
muscle fibers (within limits) causes
an increase in contractile force
leads to  HR and force
leads to  HR
Note: SNS Activation, Epinephrine, NE:
PNS Activation, ACH
4
ALL PAPERS MUST BE ELECTRONICALLY SUBMITTED TO TURNITIN.COM
THROUGH CANVAS AND A HARD COPY (IF NEEDED BY INSTRUCTOR) MUST BE
HANDED IN TO THE INSTRUCTOR BY THE DUE DATE GIVEN. LATE REPORTS
WILL LOSE 3 POINTS A DAY, INCLUDING WEEKEND DAYS. THIS INCLUDES
ANYONE WHO DOES NOT COME TO LAB WEEK 6. IF YOU HAVE TO LAB MISS
WEEK 8 (WHEN REPORT IS DUE), SEND YOUR REPORT IN AHEAD OF TIME.
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Lab Reports Grading Criteria:
Attach this form to the back of your lab report.
Component/Section
# Points Awarded:
Correct Format
__________ (maximum = 1 point)
Purpose
__________ (maximum = 1 point)
Data:
__________ (maximum = 3 points)
Discussion: Postural Changes
Reclining
_________ (maximum = 2 points)
Standing up from the reclining position
_________ (maximum = 2 points)
Standing at attention
_________ (maximum = 2 points)
Discussion: Exercise
Immediately after exercise
_________ (maximum = 3 points)
Recovery period (include fitness index)
_________ (maximum = 3 points)
Discussion: Cognitive Stressor
Spelling forward
_________ (maximum = 3 points)
Spelling backwards
_________ (maximum = 3 points)
References
_________ (maximum = 2 points)
Total
__________ (maximum = 25 points)
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