Physiology: Muscles and Bones
This program looks at the human body in motion, studying the interaction of the skeleton and muscles and the ways in which engineers and designers imitate these systems. Demonstrating how bones allow mobility while also providing protection, the program examines skeletal strength, calcium’s importance, the internal structure of bones, and their dependence on muscles for cohesion and power. Linking architecture, machine design, computer science, and other disciplines, this Science Screen Report offers a fresh way of understanding human anatomy. A viewable/printable instructor’s guide is available online. Produced in association with the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology and the Junior Engineering Technical Society. Run Time: 14 minutes
The Physiology of Pain
What is pain, and what is its purpose? This program explores various aspects of pain, including how the mind perceives the body’s warning messages, whether from a stomach-ache or a chronic condition; the body’s ability to control or ignore pain; the effects of nerve damage on the body’s early-warning system; and pain caused not by the body, but by the mind. Run Time: 17 minutes
The Beauty and Burden of Hormones
Are exercise and smart eating the best tools for staying youthful and attractive? Or is there a third ingredient in the fountain of youth—namely, clinical adjustments to the body’s chemistry, perhaps with drugs derived from other creatures’ hormones? This program examines the subject of hormone therapy and its link to longevity studies. Outlining the role hormones play in sexual attraction, the program describes the biological aspects of menopause; explains the use of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism, or SNP, in treating testosterone decline; and shows how the use of horse estrogen has been discredited as a weapon against female aging. Research into soya and phytoestrogens is also featured. Not available in French-speaking Canada. Run Time: 26 minutes
Body Armor: The Anatomy of Self-Defense
A tough outer layer can come in handy, but the strongest defense isn’t always the thickest. This program explores all kinds of bodily protection, from animal hides and shells to artificial armor to human skin—showing how anatomy and technology have evolved to guard against potential dangers. Viewers meet sea and land creatures with sophisticated protective suits, including lobsters, snails, turtles, alligators, sharks, and abalone—which sport some of the sturdiest armor of all. Tests performed on chain mail, plate armor, and a bulletproof vest take students deeper into the mechanics of body shielding, while experiments on skin and sweat highlight possible alternatives to conventional antibiotics. Contains brief partial nudity. Run Time: 22 minutes
