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.










2013 Project Lead The Way,

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
Cardiovascular









High Blood
Glucose levels
can lead to
ketones in the
blood which
can damage
the walls of the
vessels.
Hypertension
is another
complication
from diabetes
which also
causes
damage to the
blood vessel
walls.

Sickle Cell
Anemia
causes pain
and clotting of
the blood as
irregular mis-
shapen sickle
shaped red
blood cells
clog up the
blood flow and
may damage
the blood
vessels.
Heart Disease
causes
problems in
the
cardiovascular
system as high
levels of
cholesterol can
cause clots
and reduce
blood flow
which
increases risk
for a heart
attack.
Infections in
the urinary
system can
cause an
inflammatory
response
which
increases
swelling as
blood flow is
increased to
help combat
the infection
and speed
healing.
Digestive









Diabetes can
affect your
digestive
system when a
condition
known as
gastroparesis
occurs. Which
is when the
stomach
cannot digest
food properly.
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)

Heart Disease
can cause
Intestinal
Ischemia (The
intestines
cannot absorb
nutrients)
The cause of
intestinal
ischemia is
arteriosclerosis
in the intestinal
arteries, or
arteries leading
to the heart.
With sepsis
shock the
effect can be
widespread
and can cause
organ failure
for many of the
digestive
organs. This
results in the
body not being
able to absorb
vital nutrients.



2013 Project Lead The Way,

Inc.
PBS Project 6.1.1 Student Response Sheet Page 3





Immune









The immune
systems
response is
weakened
from diabetes
which causes
a person to be
much more
susceptible to
infections
which can lead
to a loss of a
limb or
infectious
diseases.
As blood flow
decreases
from clotting
the lymphatic
system cannot
function
properly due to
the lack of
oxygenated
blood. This
leads to the
body being
more
susceptible to
infection.
Your blood flow
will lower and
your WBC count
will go down
lowering your
response to
infection.
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.
Nervous









Diabetes can
cause Diabetic
neuropathies
which can be
cause by high
glucose levels
and can
damage some
nerves in the
body.
Neuropathy
can be directly
caused by
sickle cell
anemia due to
the lack of
blood flow that
a person
would have.
Neuropathy
would cause
numbness in
parts of the
body and pain.
heart disease
and heart failure
can all relate
back to the
nervous system
because heart
failure can be
caused when
there is a
problem in the
sympathetic
nervous system
which is the
fight or flight
response.
A urinary tract
infection could
cause a
neurogenic
bladder which
cause painful
urination and
blood cells to
be destroyed
which would
cause a lot of
pain. This is
directly all
related to a
urinary tract
infection.
Respiratory









High glucose
levels along
with symptoms
of ketoacidosis
can cause
rapid breathing
and it can also
become very
difficult for
someone to
breathe.
Acute chest
syndrome
occurs from
sickle cell
when the lung
tissue is
deprived of
oxygen which
then causes
pain and
difficulty in
Lack of blood
flow caused by
heart disease
can result in a
lot of trouble
breathing and
even the rest of
the body
because the
blood that is
normally
reaching the
A urinary tract
infection would
cause some
breathing
problems but
not a lot
because the
systems don't
intertwine
much.



2013 Project Lead The Way,

Inc.
PBS Project 6.1.1 Student Response Sheet Page 4

breathing lungs and being
oxygenated,
now is not.
Urinary









Kidney failure
caused by
diabetes
complications
can and will
cause major
problems for
the urinary
system such
as trouble
urinating,
extreme pain,
and even
death.
Sickle cell
anemia can
cause enuresis
which is
uncontrolled
urinations
which is most
commonly
seen as
wetting the
bed
When Blood
clots or blood
flow is
constricted due
to cholesterol
or other heart
disease
problems is
happening
then the blood
flow to the
kidneys is not
good, so this
can cause
pain, kidney
failure, and
other problems
within the
urinary system.
Very painful
urination will
occur and
possibly
having bloody
urine is also a
risk.

Sources Used: