Project 6.1.1: Student Response Sheet
Introduction
Anna Garcia was only 38 when she died, meaning that at least one of her body
systems was no longer able to support life. The failure of one or more of her body
systems may be the result of injury due to an accident or could be the result of an
illness or a combination of illnesses. Before we can determine which system or
systems failed or what caused the failure which led to her death, we have to learn
more about the human body.
The human body is an amazing machine composed of many interrelated systems
which are in turn composed of cells, tissues, and organs that act independently and
interdependently within the body. No individual component of a human body works
alone. Components of each system in the body affect or interact with every other
system. The body is dependent upon the many interactions between all systems and
structures to maintain homeostasis and health. In this activity you will investigate the
different body systems that make up the human body and explore all of the ways
Anna’s various illnesses affected each body system, potentially resulting in her
premature death.
Procedure:
1. Look back in your course file and list all of the ways each body system was
impacted by the illness or disease Anna Garcia experienced in her life.
2. Reference Autopsy Reports, Medical Histories and past lab activities to help you
organize this information.
3. Record any evidence that shows how the illness or disease may have been
involved with her untimely death.
4. Be specific about relationships between body systems and illness. You will use
this chart to help construct your final timeline that explains how Anna died.
5. You will need to eventually upload this document to your e-portfolio under Anna’s
Cause of Death.
© 2013 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
PBS Project 6.1.1 Student Response Sheet – Page 1
Part II: Anna’s Illnesses
Illnesses’ Effect on System (if applicable)
Diabetes
Cardiovascular Extreme high
blood sugar for
extended
periods of time
can lead to
blood vessel
damage, also
triggers found
in the blood
that signal high
blood sugar
are not
recognized,
causes plaque
build up and
high blood
pressue
Neuropathyloss of
sensation in
outer limbs
Digestive
Gastroparesis-
Sickle Cell
Anemia
The
misshaped red
blood cells do
not live as
long, and cant
carry as much
oxygen
causing the
hear t to need
to work more
to deliver
oxygen thru
the body. Also
the sickled
shape of the
cells causes
them to clump
toegether
causing blood
clots
Heart Disease
Urinary Tract
Infection
Concentric left more blood is
ventricular
brought to the
hypertrophysite of the
enlarged
infecton to
muscle tissue
bringing more
due to
white blood
overwork mitral cells, t cells
valve prolapse- and b cells
mitral valve
causing
doesn’t close
inflammation
proplerly blood
back flow in
the heart
Stent- holds
open blocked
arteries, left
coronary 80%
blocked,
causes cell
death and
potential heart
attack
pacemakercontrols
irregular heart
beat(PVC’s)
blood isn’t
pumped
effectively
Bilirubin
Intestinal
A urinary tract
© 2013 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
PBS Project 6.1.1 Student Response Sheet – Page 2
food sits in the
stomach for an
extended
period of time,
would make it
challenging to
control blood
glucose levels
gallstones sickle cells die
in 20 days;
liver breaks
down the
bilirubin; extra
bilirubin can
become a
gallstone in the
gallbladder
Ischemia- flow
of oxyen rich
blood to
stomach or
intestines is
blocked,
doesn’t
function
properly, cant
asorb nutrients
infection can
be caused by
E. coli, a
bacteria
commonly
found in the
digestive
system
Decreased or
inhibited blood
flow caused by
clumping of
RBC’s create
challenges for
WBC’s to
reach the
location of an
infection
Autoimmune
system attacks
its own
antigens
Increased
production of
lymphocytes (B
& T cells) and
antibodies
against the
bacteria;
Inflammatory
response (may
increase
additional UTI
and/or damage
to urinary tract
structures.
Lack of blood
to extremities,
tingily feelings
Blockages
heart cannot
pump
effectively,
nerves in the
heart die due
to lack of
oxygen
PVC’s due to
improper nerve
signaling
Spinal Cord
abnormalities
due to spread
of bacteria
(bilirubin forms
bile)
Immune
Nervous
The imnmune
system
destroys cells
in the pancreas
that produce
insulin, and the
immune
system is not
as effective in
people with
diabetes.
Damage to
blood vessles
also affects the
nourishment of
the immune
system cells
Damage to
small blood
vessles causes
problems with
nerve function
including
nerves firing at
the wrong time
numbness or
tingling is a
signal to this
Possible
seisures
because blood
cannot reach
brain
effectively
stroke due to
blood clots
© 2013 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
PBS Project 6.1.1 Student Response Sheet – Page 3
Respiratory
Urinary
Rapid or
labored
breathing is a
sigmal of
Kussmaul
breathing a
signal of
Ketoacidosis
due to high
blood sugar
causing
elevated
keytone levels
in the blood
high blod sugar
overworks the
kidneys,
eventually
begins leaking
protein into
urine and
destroying
kidney function
Accute Chest
syndrome
inflammation
and loss of
oxygen leads
to chest pain
and possible
clumping of
sickeled cells
in the lungs
Sickled cells
cannot carry
as much 02 as
normal RBC’s
Splenic
Sequestrationcells get stuck
in kidneys so
blood can’t be
filtered as well
and get stuck
in kidneys
Atheroclerosis
plaque and
smoking can
cause arteries
to harden and
Sepsis life
threatening
extreme
bacteria levels
can damage
multiple organ
systems
resulting in
death
Can damage
kidneys so
they filter blood
inefficiently
A UIT causes
painful
sensation
during
urination
caused by
bacterial
growth in the
urinary tract
Sources Used:
Urinary Health. (n.d.). Urinary Health. Retrieved May 28, 2014, from
http://www.kidney.org.au/ForPatients/UrinaryHealth/tabid/653/Default.aspx
How Diabetes affects Immune system. (n.d.). Diabetic Connect. Retrieved May 28,
2014, from http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetes-videos/general/1977-howdiabetes-affects-immune-system
Diabetes Health Concerns. (2012, November 7). Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. Retrieved May 28, 2014, from
http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/consumer/problems.htm
Systems of the Body Affected by Sickle Cell Anemia. (2011, May 2).
LIVESTRONG.COM. Retrieved May 28, 2014, from
http://www.livestrong.com/article/128264-systems-body-affected-sickle-cell/
© 2013 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
PBS Project 6.1.1 Student Response Sheet – Page 4