Project Objective
After being assigned two organ systems, conducting research, and blueprinting, be able to create a functioning model-based representation of each of the systems independent of each other, and another model with both systems functioning in tandem, by linking biology and engineering. Our group was assigned the Digestive and Endocrine systems, where later the rest of our classmates would inform us of their assigned systems.
Project Description
Terms and Concepts
Endocrine System: The collection of glands that produce hormones that regulate metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, sexual function, reproduction, sleep, and mood, among other things, informed by the hypothalamus, Pineal gland, Pituitary gland, Thymus, Thyroid gland, the pancreas, gonads, etc. These hormones are accepted into cells by receptors, which carry the hormone to the nucleus of the cell, if the hormone is a steroid. If the hormone isn't a steroid, it binds to the cell membrane's receptor site, ad activate a secondary messenger inside the cell
Digestive System: Consists primarily of the digestive tract, or the series of structures and organs through which food and liquids pass during their processing into forms absorbable into the bloodstream (glucose and essential acids). There are two types of digestion, mechanical (chewing) and chemical (salivary enzymes, hydrochloric acid). It contains all four major tissue types: Epithelial (protective "skin" to absorb, and prevent leaking, and protect from acids, while secreting enzymes, acid, and digestive fluids), Connective (absorbs nutrients, secretes gastric acid, separates the mucosa from the smooth muscle layer), Muscle (moves food), and Nervous (signaling, and stimulus processing)
Digestive System: Consists primarily of the digestive tract, or the series of structures and organs through which food and liquids pass during their processing into forms absorbable into the bloodstream (glucose and essential acids). There are two types of digestion, mechanical (chewing) and chemical (salivary enzymes, hydrochloric acid). It contains all four major tissue types: Epithelial (protective "skin" to absorb, and prevent leaking, and protect from acids, while secreting enzymes, acid, and digestive fluids), Connective (absorbs nutrients, secretes gastric acid, separates the mucosa from the smooth muscle layer), Muscle (moves food), and Nervous (signaling, and stimulus processing)
Presentation
Construction Log
Model Features
The marble, representing a hormone, is released from a funnel, representing a ductless gland, which goes through PVC pipes, representing the hormone going to different parts of the body through the circulatory system, hitting a wood block, representing a cell's receptor site.
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The Arduino servo-automated serrated wooden blocks represent teeth, which performs mechanical digestion, or chewing the styrofoam, which represents food.
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This model is our combination model, where chemical digestion is demonstrated. The gastrin hormone triggers the gastric glands, to secrete hydrochloric acid (HCl), represented by acetone, in the stomach, represented by the pyrex glass bowl. The long tube in the middle represents the esophagus, a pipe where the styrofoam, or food, falls into.
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Teeth Servo Code
Reflection
At the start of the project I was excited about having the opportunity to work in the Makerspace, and once again build. But I felt that my group's enthusiasm and my own excitement, was to an unfocused point, where reality didn't match our ambition. Looking at the construction log, there are entries related to 3-D printing an Archimedes screw, 2 gears, and 2 4:1 gearboxes. The initial idea was to have the Archimedes screw lift the marble, and make it a self-fulfilling system. Rather, the 16:1 joint gearbox created too much speed, there was no supports created for the marble in the screw, bearing holders were put in place, but with the wrong rough opening. Unfortunately, our plan did not come to fruition, and had to come with a pulley system as a hot fix which did the job of modeling, and sadly replacing what was there. This informed me about the necessity of self-control especially when enthusiasm drives reality away. Secondly, we had poor time management skills. Although we foresaw the amount of time 3-D printing would take, we made sure other materials, and systems would be made in parallel. Because the initial endocrine system was ambitious, we unevenly distributed time, by spending it on the screw to work, makes us rush the fixtures for the rest of the model(s). We had all our materials and parts prepared but because we spent a disproportionate time on the Archimedes screw, being able to put more thought in the placement of our model materials were lacking. We also should have spent more time on our presentation, and testing. Although it worked and did its job, it could use some refining, like using the 5 by 3 rule, having more specificity, and rehearsal. This aside I think out total group productivity was fantastic. There was not a day that anyone on our team during class had wasted time on working on our ambitious project. All our teammates were prepared with materials, and self-initiative at hand for 8 days' work. I also felt that communication overall was very healthy. Even though some of our group mates were absent , we made sure they notified us how many days they would be off, and what agenda and work redistribution that would be done to cover the team member. Overall, this project was great with combining two scientific disciplines in a creative way, and having an ambitious, yet productive group.
- Nihal Nazeem,
- Nihal Nazeem,