2013 Project Lead The Way,

Inc.
PBS Project 6.1.1 Student Response Sheet Page 1



Project 6.1.1: Student Response Sheet

Introduction
Anna Garcia was only 38 when she died; meaning that at least one of her body
systems was no longer able to support life. The failure of one or more of her body
systems may be the result of injury due to an accident or could be the result of an
illness or a combination of illnesses. Before we can determine which system or
systems failed or what caused the failure which led to her death, we have to learn
more about the human body.

The human body is an amazing machine composed of many interrelated systems
which are in turn composed of cells, tissues, and organs that act independently and
interdependently within the body. No individual component of a human body works
alone. Components of each system in the body affect or interact with every other
system. The body is dependent upon the many interactions between all systems and
structures to maintain homeostasis and health. In this activity you will investigate the
different body systems that make up the human body and explore all of the ways
Annas various illnesses affected each body system, potentially resulting in her
premature death.

Procedure:

1. Look back in your course file and list all of the ways each body system was
impacted by the illness or disease Anna Garcia experienced in her life.
2. Reference Autopsy Reports, Medical Histories and past lab activities to help you
organize this information.
3. Record any evidence that shows how the illness or disease may have been
involved with her untimely death.
4. Be specific about relationships between body systems and illness. You will use
this chart to help construct your final timeline that explains how Anna died.
5. You will need to eventually upload this document to your e-portfolio under Annas
Cause of Death.










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Inc.
PBS Project 6.1.1 Student Response Sheet Page 2


Part II: Annas Illnesses

Illnesses Effect on System (if applicable)

Diabetes Sickle Cell
Anemia
Heart Disease Urinary Tract
Infection
Cardiovascula
r









Diabetes
causes
hypertension in
the blood
vessels,
blockages in
eye capillaries
and ear
capillaries,
causing ear
and eye
problems,
excessive
blood glucose
damages small
blood vessels
that nurish
nerves, causes
neuropathy,
kidney
disease,
keytones in the
blood, and
foot/skin
damage.

















Largly
decreased
amount of red
blood cells
(RBCs)
(anemia),
abnormal,
hardened
shape of
sickled RBCs
causes
blockages in
blood vessels,
causes Sickle
Cell crisises
because of
lack of oxygen,
causing large
amounts of
pain, hardened
blood vessels,
and edema in
fingers, hands
and other
limbs. Also,
avascular
necrosis in hip
joints, and
increased
chance of
stroke and
heart disease.
Posible
chance of
brain damage
in severe
cases
Increased chance
of hypertension
and heart attack,
stroke, coronary
artery disease
(hardening of the
arteries that
provide oxygen to
the heart muscle),
heart valve
dysfunction, blood
vessel disease,
heart failure and
irregular beats.
Also can cause
an enlargement of
the heart muscle
because of over
working and its
ability to pump
blood is
weakened.




















If infections
become
severe
enough, septic
shock can
occur, leading
to life-
threateningly
low blood
pressure
(hypotension),
an increased
chance of
stroke and
myocardial
dysfunction

















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PBS Project 6.1.1 Student Response Sheet Page 3






Digestive









Keytones build
up in the blood
and digestive
system. Cause
nausea,
neuoropathy
(organ/full
body
numbness?),
increased
chance of
developing a
Gastrointestina
l tract infection,
gallstones, and
ulcers.
Complications
stem from
dysfunctions of
the intestinal
nerves




Bilirubin
gallstones -
sickle cells die
in 20 days;
liver breaks
down the
bilirubin; extra
bilirubin can
become a
gallstone in the
gallbladder
(bilirubin forms
bile). Liver
damage also
caused by
bilirubin and
bile back-up
(also a cause
of jaundice).





Decreased blood
flow to the
intestinal arteries
can lead to
intestinal
ischemia
(intestinal tissue
necrosis and
hinders the
intestines ability
to absorb
nutrients food
eaten, and
infection/gangren
e can set in and
eventually lead to
death).
Can cause
sepsis
(potentially
fatel severe
response to
infection)
Sepsis can
bypass the
protective
barrier of the
gastrointestina
l tract and
cause SIRS
and multiple
organ
dysfunction
syndrome.
Immune









Skin problems
such as
cysts/sores
can cause the
spread of
infection, which
affects the
immune
system by
possibly
weakening it
(depending on
infection type).
Increased
chance of
infection
during Sickle
Cell crisises,
splenic
sequestration
(pooling of
blood,
particularly
sickled cells, in
the spleen).
Blocked blood
vessels
prevent white
Immune response
to a mostly
dormant virus
(CMV) and other
common
infections can
cause heart
disease as a
result of
inflammation
Increased
production of
lymphocytes
(B & T cells)
and antibodies
against the
bacteria;
Inflammatory
response (may
increase
additional UTI
and/or
damage to
urinary tract
structures and
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PBS Project 6.1.1 Student Response Sheet Page 4

blood cells
from getting to
parts of the
body where
they are
necessary to
fight
impending
infection.
Leads to
increase in
infections, skin
ulcers,
other organs).
Weakened
immune
system
increases
chance of
septic shock.
Nervous









Causes
damage to
nerve
cells/tissue
because of
loss of blood
flow to it.
Causes
neuropathy,
ear and eye
complications,
and numbing
of certain body
parts. Increase
of stress and
possible over-
stimulation of
the adrenal
glands.
Increased
sensitivity to
heat and
pressure
during a Sickle
Cell crisis,
nerves
become
slightly more
sensitive and
exposed,
causing large
amounts of
pain
Sympathetic
nerve system
response causes
an increase of
platelet
production that
congregate on
blood vessel wall,
subsequently
increasing blood
pressure and flow
velocity from
added weight on
blood vessel
walls. An increase
of adrenaline also
increases risk of
myocardial
disease and lack
of oxygen flow.
Autonomic
nervous system
dysfunction is a
common feature
in patients with
chronic heart
failure.
Nervous
system
disorders
increase ones
chance of
developing
UTIs and
Aetiology
(impairs
functions of
the bladder)
Respiratory








Strain on
certain blood
vessels,
causing lack of
oxygenation in
feet, nerves,
ears, and eyes.
Sickle Cell
crisises cause
severe chest
pain because
of lack of
oxygen going
to the lungs
(acute chest
syndrome-can
Blockages in
blood vessels can
cause shortness
of breath, poor
circulation to
blood vessels of
the lungs and
heart and lack of
oxygen being
Sepsis can
cause
widespread
organ failure,
including the
respiratory
system
organs. Sepsis
affects
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PBS Project 6.1.1 Student Response Sheet Page 5

cause
pneumonia,
fever, severe
pain/coughing)
. Lack of
hemoglobin
(oxygen-
carrying
component of
RBCs). Also,
lack of oxygen
causes low
metabolism
and energy
levels
delivered to
organs and other
portions of the
body systems.
respiratory
organs quickly
after infection.
Respiratory
muscles
dysfunction
and
diaphragmatic
pumping
decreases in
strength and
frequency
Urinary









Keytone build-
up, increased
urination,
kidney
disease.
Urinary tract
infections
(UTIs) are
more common
Heart disease
and other heart
problems can
cause lethal renal
diseases.
Dysfunction of the
kidneys can
cause fluid build
up of the heart,
lungs, and brain.
Excessive fluid
build up caused
from
dysfunctioning
kidneys cause
high blood
pressure and
increases the
work load of the
heart.
UTIs in the
bladder and
kidneys cause
serious
problems and
damage to the
body. Can
cause sepsis
stemming from
the UTI. Can
increase
chance on
kidney stones
or an enlarged
prostate.

Sources Used:
Activity 2.3.3-Complications of Diabetes
Activity 3.1.1/Activity 3.1.2
Livestrong.com-Systems of the Body Affected by Sickle Cell Anemia