LAB 8: HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY


Laboratory Experiment 8 - Human Physiology

8.1 Objectives
Upon completion of the experiment, students should be able to:
1.      Learn the correct and proper method of handling dry spirometer and blood pressure sensor.
2.      Determine the blood pressure and heart rate at different conditions.
3.      Determine the various respiratory volumes at different conditions.

8.2 Introduction
Physiology is the study of normal function within living creatures. It is a sub-section of biology, covering a range of topics that include organs, anatomy, cells, biological compounds, and how they all interact to make life possible.


The study of physiology is, in a sense, the study of life. It asks questions about the internal workings of organisms and how they interact with the world around them.
Physiology tests how organs and systems within the body work, how they communicate, and how they combine their efforts to make conditions favorable for survival.
Human physiology, specifically, is often separated into subcategories; these topics cover a vast amount of information.

Researchers in the field can focus on anything from microscopic organelles in cell physiology up to more wide-ranging topics, such as ecophysiology, which looks at whole organisms and how they adapt to environments.

Materials
·        Blood pressure sensor
·        Cold water
·        Dry spirometer

8.3 Methodology

A. Blood pressure as a vital sign
1.    The subject is to be seated quietly on a chair with his or her forearm resting on a table surface. It is advisable that the person whom is to be tested remain calm and static.
2.     The blood pressure and the heart rate stated in the Blood Pressure sensor is recorded in a table.
3.     The blood pressure and heart rate of supine is recorded in a table.
4.   Two persons in the group are required to climb up and down the stairs for three times in five minutes. The blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) is taken immediately and in every 1 minute up to 5 minutes. The readings are recorded in a table.
5.   Two persons in the group are required to place their hand (the one to which the blood pressure sensor cuff is not attached) into a large container filled with ice water. BP and HR readings are recorded every 30 seconds for 3 minutes.

B. Human respiratory volume
1.      Tidal Volume (TV)
a.    The spirometer dial is set at 0. A normal inspiration is taken followed by placing the mouth over the mouth-piece and a normal expiration is exhaled into the spirometer. One is required to make a conscious effort not to exceed their normal value.
b.     The amount exhale on the dial is recorded.
c.   One’s respiratory rate per minute is to be counted by his or her lab partner by counting the respiratory cycles for 1 minute while one is seated at rest.
d.   The tidal volume is multiplied by respiratory rate per minute to give the resting respiratory minute volume.
2.        Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)
a.      The spirometer dial is set at 0.
b.  After a normal expiration, the mouth is placed over the mouth-piece and air is exhaled forcefully and as much as possible into the spirometer.
3.      Vital Capacity (VC)
a.     The spirometer dial is set at 0.
b.    One is required to inhale as deeply as possible, followed by placing the mouth over the mouth -piece and holding the nose and then, exhale into the spirometer with maximal effort.
c.      The measurement is repeated 3 times and the largest volume is recorded.
4.      Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV) and Inspiration Capacity (IC)
a.     The IRV and IC are calculated based on the 3 previous volume measurements.


8.4 RESULTS

A. Blood pressure as a vital sign

Table 1: Blood pressure and heart rate readings

Systolic Pressure (mmHg)
Diastolic Pressure (mmHg)
Mean arterial pressure (mmHg)
Heart rate (beats/min)
Sitting on chair
112
70
84
83
Supine (laying on back)
105
65
78
77


Table 2: Blood pressure and heart rate readings response to climb up & down stairs

Systolic Pressure (mmHg)
Diastolic Pressure (mmHg)
Mean arterial pressure (mmHg)
Heart rate (beats/min)
Min 1
200
130
153
98
Min 2
124
71
89
87
Min 3
70
53
58
74
Min 4
94
80
85
80
Min 5
93
57
69
75


Table 3: Blood pressure and heart rate readings response to cold water

Systolic Pressure (mmHg)
Diastolic Pressure (mmHg)
Mean arterial pressure (mmHg)
Heart rate (beats/min)
30 second
110
69
83
85
60 second
96
71
79
71
90 second
99
52
68
72
120 second
96
67
77
74
150 second
90
34
53
68
180 second
108
84
92
86

B. Human respiratory volume
Table 4: Respiratory volumes
Respiratory volumes
Value (L)
Tidal volume (TV)
0.3
Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)
1.2
Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)
0.5
Residual Volume (RV)
1.1
Total Lung Capacity (TLC)
3.1
Vital Capacity (VC)
2.0
Functional Residual Capacity (RFC)
1.6
Inspiratory Capacity (IC)
1.5

8.5 DISCUSSION
It is clearly observed that the blood pressure and heart rate of supine is lower than the blood pressure and heart rate when sitting on chair. This phenomenon shows that both blood pressure and heart rate are at normal rates where the normal systolic blood pressure is below 120 and the normal diastolic pressure is below 80 meanwhile the normal heart rate is between 60 to 100 pulse per minute. As the whole body is at rest during supine, the blood pressure and heart rate is relatively lower than the blood pressure and heart rate when sitting on chair where only certain parts of the body is at rest. The heart pumps at a lower rate when the body is at rest.

Next, it is observed that the blood pressure and heart rate increased due to the response to climbing up and down. The reading is taken immediately after completing the action and every 1 minute after that. The blood pressure is at its highest pressure right after completing the action and slowly decreases until the 3rd minute. The blood pressure and returned normal after that (4th and 5th minute). The blood pressure increased at first as body cells need more oxygen when our body is active, therefore, our heart pumps faster, resulting in higher blood pressure. It slowly decreases and returned normal as our body is resting and return to its normal condition.

Collectively, it is observed that the blood pressure is lower when human is exposed to cold environment. The blood pressure is lower than during normal rest conditions (sitting on chair and supine). This phenomenon is abnormal as blood pressure should increase when the body is cold as blood vessels narrow during cold and increase the blood pressure because pressure is needed to force blood through narrowed veins and arteries.

The following is the human respiratory volumes graph of a female group member:



Figure 1: Human respiratory volumes graph of a female

8.6 Conclusion
In conclusion, all the objectives of this experiment are achieved. First, all the group members are able to apply the correct and proper method of handling dry spirometer and blood pressure sensor. Therefore, readings are recorded accurately. Another objective that we have achieved is that we are able to determine the blood pressure and heart rate at different conditions; i.e. at rest, active and exposure on cold condition. With that, we also came up with explanation on how the conditions affect our blood pressure and heart rate.


8.7 References
Sheps, S.G. (2019, Jan 9). Blood pressure: Is it affected by cold weather?.Retrieved from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/blood-pressure/faq-20058250
Laskowski, E.R. (2018, Aug 29). Healthy Lifestyle Fitness. Retrieved from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/expert-answers/heart-rate/faq-2005797





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