ASSIGNMENT : Medical Sciences (Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology etc.)

Prompt:
The closest star to our own, approximately 4.2 light-years away or 25 trillion miles, is the red-dwarf, Proxima Centauri. This low-mass star is about 12% the mass of our Sun, however, a planet has been observed rotating around this red-dwarf star called Proxima c. This exoplanet is approximately 1.3 times the size of earth and appears to have a rocky terrain. Because of its rotation, Proxima c would have approximately 22 Earth days between sunrises and the surface temperature would be approximately -40C. Evidence of both atmospheric and liquid water on the surface has been observed. Because of the closeness of this planet to the Proxima Centauri, the planet is flooded with 400x more radiation than Earth and a solar wind pressure 2000x that experienced on Earth. Due to these factors, the inhabitants of this planet would most likely live underground and would only venture above ground for resources. They would be bipedal humanoids, resembling humans in their anatomy and physiology. However, considering the differences between Proxima c and Earth, there will be adaptations that would ensure their survival on Proxima c.
Analysis:
Using this information, you should describe and justify one adaptation to the nervous system that this organism would have to inhabit Proxima c. This analysis should include the following:
• Description of the physiology of the human nervous system (using your textbook as a primary information source). Seely’s Anatomy and Physiology
• An explanation of how the environment of Proxima c may affect the functioning of the human nervous system.
• Propose an adaptation to the human nervous system the Proxima c humanoid would have to compensate for the environment.
o The adaptation can be based on changes in a human organ to make it work more efficiently on Proxima c or can be an organ that is not found in the human nervous system.
• The proposal should include justification as to why that particular adaption would benefit the humanoid more than any other adaptation to the nervous system.
o Justifications should be based on known scientific principles and research.
• Describe how this change or new organ would enable the humanoid to function better on this planet than on Earth.
• Use reliable sources and identify the relevant information used for your analysis and justification.

SAMPLE SOLUTION

Physiology of The Human Nervous System
The human nervous system is composed of the central and peripheral nervous systems. The central nervous system is then made up of the brain and the spinal cord where the brain’s responsibility is to control other body functions such as memory and speech. The spinal cord, on the other hand, has the responsibility of carrying signals back and forth working between the brain and the nerves within the body. Although part of the nervous system, the peripheral nervous system is located outside the CNs. This part of the nervous system is also made up of nerves whose role is to send and receive signals from the central nervous system (Mcgraw Hill).
How The Environment of Proxima C May Affect the Human Nervous System Functioning
As explained in the previous section, the nervous system is a network of interconnections whose main role is to direct interaction between a person and the world. The environment that defines Proxima c will affect this important interaction. Extreme…