Project: Lifelines: A Journey through Circulatory Systems

Contextualization

The circulatory system is one of the fundamental pillars for the survival and functioning of any multicellular organism. It is responsible for delivering nutrients and oxygen to the organism's cells, while at the same time removing waste products from its metabolism. Each group of animals has a circulatory system adapted to its specific needs, whether it be an open system, like that of arthropods, or a closed system, like that of mammals.

Thus, understanding the differences between these circulatory systems is crucial not only to understanding the functioning of our own organism, but also to understanding how different species have developed and adapted throughout evolution. Studying these systems also allows us to understand the diseases that can affect different species of animals, becoming essential for veterinary medicine and even for human health, through the study of zoonoses.

The importance of the circulatory system is vast, as all the other biological systems present in an organism depend on it. Its relevance extends from the cellular level, such as the efficient delivery of nutrients and removal of waste, to the level of the entire organism, where an efficient circulatory system is vital for maintaining life.

This project aims to deepen the students' understanding of the different types of circulatory systems present in animals, as well as to develop research, analysis and communication skills throughout the process.

To prepare for and delve deeper into the subject, we suggest the following resources:

• The book "Biology of Organisms" by Amabis and Martho, published by Moderna, which provides a complete overview of circulatory systems in different animal species.
• The Khan Academy platform, which has a complete section on Biology and Animal Physiology.
• The Biodidac Project website, which has a vast collection of images and diagrams on the circulatory system.

Hands-on Activity

Activity Title: "Lifelines: Understanding the Circulatory Systems of Animals"

Objective of the project: This activity aims to help students investigate and understand the different types of circulatory systems present in different animal species. In addition, it aims to develop research, communication and collaboration skills.

Detailed project description:

The students will be divided into groups of 3 to 5 members. Each group will be responsible for researching and studying a specific type of circulatory system from the following: Open circulatory system, single-circulation closed circulatory system, and double-circulation closed circulatory system.

Each group will be tasked with:

1. Researching and understanding the functioning of the assigned circulatory system.
2. Identifying unique characteristics and similarities between the different circulatory systems.
3. Identifying diseases associated with the circulatory system studied.
4. Developing and presenting a three-dimensional model representing the circulatory system assigned to the group.

Materials required:

• Biology textbooks or internet access for research.
• Materials for building the three-dimensional model, which may include: cardboard, clay, modeling clay, straws, tape, paint, among others.

Detailed step-by-step guide for the activity:

1. Each group conducts research on the assigned type of circulatory system, identifying its main characteristics, functions and associated diseases.
2. After understanding the circulatory system, each group should start building the three-dimensional model. The model should be clear and accurate, representing the main characteristics of the system.
3. In parallel with the construction of the model, each group should prepare a presentation detailing the information collected in the research. The presentation should include an explanation of the model built.
4. Finally, each group will present their model and information to the class. The students should be prepared to answer questions and discuss the topic.

Project deliverables:

Each group must deliver:

1. A written report containing:

• Introduction: In this part, students should explain the relevance of the circulatory system, the type of system they chose, the importance of its study for biology and the relevance of the project.
• Development: Students should detail the functioning of the circulatory system studied, its main characteristics, the associated diseases and the process of building the model. They should also describe and argue about the similarities or differences found between the different types of circulatory systems.
• Conclusions: The students should record the main points learned during the project, the difficulties faced and how they managed to overcome them. They should also reflect on the importance of teamwork and time management.
• Bibliography: In this section, students should list all the sources used for the project, including books, web pages, videos, etc.

2. A 3D model of the circulatory system studied.
3. The presentation of the project to the class.