PIG NOTES ¹

Please read and sign the IB Biology SL Contract for 2011-12 before you begin.

1.	Obtain an anatomy and physiology textbook to use as your reference. Some are available for loan from the biology classroom and should be returned when you finish the assignment. Used texts are easily available and inexpensive through Amazon.Obtain an anatomy and physiology textbook to use as your reference. Some are available for loan from the biology classroom and should be returned when you finish the assignment. Used texts are easily available and inexpensive through Amazon. The last page of the assignment should include proper bibliographic reference for the book(s) used. The cover should show your name.
2.	Make OUTLINED NOTES for two human physiological systems to be collected on the FIRST day of school, Monday, September 5, 2011. Which two systems you do are your choice, but try to start with a simpler system, like respiration. Notes should include all the major ideas including: foundational anatomy, purpose of the system, functioning/physiology, relevant chemistry, and regulation. Pathologies need not be included.
3.	The outlined notes must be handwritten and 5-15 pages long for each system. Write on only one side of the paper for clarity. Notes should be put into a binder (with holes punched) for easy perusal. (In the winter they will serve as a study tool for our units on physiology.) Use color, highlighting, boldface, underlining, etc., to make the notes visually interesting. Use phrases, not long sentences, use the margins, etc. The notes do not need to be in perfect “outline” format.
4.	The notes should include lots of hand drawn, colorful diagrams. They may be traced, but not xeroxed or downloaded and printed by a computer. The range of diagrams should include several levels of the biology:      • gross (organ level) anatomical structure(s)      • microscopic illustrations of tissues      • molecular details where appropriate      • physiological cycles/processes.
5.	WARNING: Be careful not to overemphasize anatomical detail. You do not need to know the name of every blood vessel, every nerve, and every muscle in the body. You do need to know, for example, how the microscopic and molecular structure of muscle tissue allows it to contract and to relax, causing locomotion. Don’t include numerous diagrams showing excessive anatomical detail, for example, every bone in the body. Depending on your textbook, you may need to skip several pages in the book that include an unnecessary level of anatomical detail.
6.	In October you will be required to hand in outlined notes for six systems: circulatory, respiratory, digestive, reproductive, skeletal, and muscular. The entire assignment may be done over the summer to lighten the fall academic load, if preferred. The entire assignment (all 6 systems) will count for 20% of the term 1 grade.

Questions: Please feel free to contact me over the summer. For most of the summer I will be in Canada (905.894.3308 or polly_lodge@georgeschool.org) I will try to get to the public library to check email, but I don’t mind interruptions to discuss the assignment over the phone. Once preseason starts, I should be home (215.752.5969). Good Luck!


¹These are called “pig notes,” although they are based on human anatomy and physiology. We will be dissecting a fetal pig as a supplement to this physiology unit; hence the name.