HLTH1004: Physiology of Zombies- Body Temperature- Human Bioscience at the Flinders- Essay Writing Assignment

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Essay Writing Assignment:

Task: Write an essay on ONE of the following three topics: 1. Write an essay about body temperature You should describe what a healthy human core body temperature is and why is it needed to be at this value. You could discuss how the body temperature is measured, how the body produces heat - both mechanically and by chemical means and how body temperature is maintained at the desired level. That is, the mechanisms by which heat is gained and lost (sweating, vasodilation, radiation, conduction, convection). You might discuss the body’s homeostatic control of body temperature. You could discuss the consequences of hypothermia and or hyperthermia, or even frostbite. 2. Write an essay about the sodium-potassium “pump” In the plasma membrane of all cells is a type of solute pump called the “sodium potassium ATPase enzyme” that pumps sodium ions out of cells while pumping potassium ions into cells. Both ions are moved against their concentration gradients so this requires that energy be expended. You should discuss why the Na-K pump exists, and it’s mechanism of action. You could discuss how ATP is converted to ADP to release energy and how this energy is used. You may choose to discuss secondary active transport and/or the resting membrane potential in muscle or nerve cells. You could discuss the qualities of intra-cellular fluid versus those of extra-cellular fluid. 3. Discuss the Physiology of Zombies Zombie humans don’t exist, yet we all seem to know how they work. They stumble around in crowds bleeding from open sores on their skin, they are badly dressed, they don’t talk but are able to see and distinguish us (living humans) from them. They pass on the Zombie infection  virus/bacteria/prion/brain worms) by biting people, are strong, seemingly able to tear people open in order to feed on them, are persistent but are “killed” by severing the head from the body etc, etc. What are the characteristics of Zombies? Are there different types of zombies? (Fast zombies/slow zombies). Explain what has gone wrong with their physiology in order to produce the observed behaviours. Eschew “magical” or unscientific explanations, rather consider that zombie behaviour is constrained by the physiological characteristics of human anatomy and physiology and discuss what is not working and so would result in their characteristic behaviours. (Use your critical faculties scientifically. Do not cut and paste material from the internet – it is mostly nonsense)