Body Worlds Exhibit Summary

Bio 102: General Biology

Carlos Ayala

11/23/2004
2. Describe the process of plastination (the method of preserving the bodies used by Dr. von
Hagens)?
Plastination is a vacuum process in which a bodys water and fat content are replaced
by fluid plastic, which later hardens to retain all tissue structures. It was invented in 1977
by Dr.Gunther von Hagens.

3. How is plastination different from other methods of tissue/organ preservation?

Plastinates are intended to impart insights into the human physical being to help us
visualize the structure and function of our bodily systems that underlie everyday
activities. Plastinates (plastination) is posed differently to reveal something different
about human body locomotive system, nervous system, respiratory system,
cardiovascular system, digestive system, kidney and urinary tract, reproductive system,
and prenatal development.

4. How many bones are found in the foot?

There are 26 bones found in the foot.

5. How many bones make up the elbow?

3 bones make up the elbow.

6. What is a composite skeleton?

A composite skeleton is a display to show anatomical structure.

7. What type of surgical intervention is used for bones?

8. What are some causes of spinal deformities?

Some causes of spinal deformity include: genetic disorders, metabolic disorders,
improperly healed bones, or an improper load distribution.

9. What joint handles most of our body weight?

The joint that handles most of our bodys weight is the knee-cap.

10. What is a meniscus?

A meniscus is or happens when 2 cresent shaped cartilage wedges, cause an imperfect fit
between the bones of the joint.

11. What is arthritis?

Arthritis is damage to the cartilage, and or if the bone becomes severely worn.
12. Describe the difference between the lungs of smokers and non-smokers?
Lungs of non-smokers are pink with a couple of dots of tar from the inner city; on the
other hand, the lungs of smokers are dark with a lot of tar.

13. In exhibit #604, how can you tell this individual suffered from arthritis?
You can tell the individual suffered from arthritis because the cartilage is worn down
and the wearing down of the joints is clearly visible.

14. What is the oldest part of the brain?

The oldest part of the brain is the brain stem.

15. The brain requires how much of the bodys blood supply?
The brain requires 20% of the bodys blood supply.

16. The chess player shows you his nerves. Describe what the nerves look like?
The chess players nerves look like cards, which are semi-stranded.

PART 2

17. What is done to the blood vessels that allow you to see them in this exhibit?
The blood vessels are injected with dye plastic; once plastic hardens, it has already taken
shape.

18. How big can an enlarged heart become?

A heat can be enlarged up to 800 grams.

19. What is the cause of a heart becoming enlarged?

A heart can become enlarged due to disease of heart muscle, high blood pressure, defects
in the septum of heart, and or faulty heart valves.

20. Cardiac cells (cells in the heart) are replaced by what when damaged?
Cardiac cells when damaged are replaced with scars of connective tissue.

21. What is an aneurysm?

An aneurysm is large quantities coagulated blood in arterial wall.
22. What is cirrhosis?
Cirrhosis is a disease which causes a shrunken liver due to heavy consumption of
alcohol.

23. Why does a liver become larger when it becomes damaged?

A liver becomes larger when damaged because

24. What is the role of the spleen?

The spleen breaks down old blood, supporting bodys immune system.

25. in a patient with leukimia, what happens tothe spleen?

The spleen enlarges.

26. What is the role of the Liver?

the role of the kidneys is to dissolve waste products and filter out the blood