Heart to Heart
The human heart.Copyright U.S. National Library of Medicine, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services http://www.adamimages.com
Students learn about the form and function of the human heart through lecture, research and dissection. They brainstorm ideas that pertain to various heart conditions and organize these ideas into categories that help them research possible solutions. An expert in the field of cardiac valve research was interviewed for this lesson and shares his ideas with the class. Students conclude by researching various possible heart defects.
Engineers begin their work to design solutions to problems by first gathering information in the form of background information about the system they are working with, testing and analysis data that they collect from various sources, and information from experts on the subject matter.
After Part I of this lesson, students should be able to:
- Identify the parts of the heart (left and right ventricles, left and right atria, interventricular septum, mitral valve, tricuspid valve, pulmonary valve, aortic valve, pericardium, valve leaflets, aorta).
- Describe how blood flows through the heart in a specific path.
- Explain how problems with the heart may cause health concerns.
After Part II of this lesson, students should be able to:
- Identify the parts of the human heart on a diagram and with a biological specimen.
- Describe blood flow through the human heart, elaborating on what role each part of the heart plays in this process.
- Define terms associated with the heart and its function.
- Explain what blood pressure is, and take blood pressure using available tools.