Submitted by: Submitted by danielletomlin15
Views: 583
Words: 1431
Pages: 6
Category: Science and Technology
Date Submitted: 11/10/2014 07:50 AM
“A Spill at Parsenn Bowl” by Elaine S. Chapman Page
by
Elaine S. Chapman
Department of Biology
Illinois College, Jacksonville, IL
Part I – The Slopes
Elaine was enjoying a pleasant day on the ski slopes at Winter Park. When she got on the lift to the top
of Parsenn Bowl (, ft), the weather was fi ne—windy, but sunny. During the - or -minute ride,
the weather changed suddenly; it became a white-out, with icy surface snow, blowing snow, a very strong
wind, and extremely low visibility. Many people fell as they got off the lift, including Elaine. However, she
got up and joined her family members as they stood, wondering just how they were going to get down
the mountain. Meanwhile, the lift closed due to the terrible conditions (-mile-an-hour wind and a
temperature of −° F). As she adjusted her stance, Elaine somehow twisted and fell again, which resulted
in external rotation of her right knee. Th ere was no pain at the time and she thought she could get up and
prepare to get down the mountain, but her knee was too unstable. While she sat on the icy surface, her
husband notifi ed the lift operator to call the Ski Patrol. In about minutes they arrived and put her on a
sled, which they skied down the slope; when they reached the Ski Patrol headquarters, they transferred the
sled to a snowmobile and promptly got her down the mountain and into the emergency room.
Questions
. What mechanisms did Elaine’s body employ to maintain homeostasis?
a. Where are the sensors for cold?
b. Where is the “thermostat” of the body located?
c. What is the eff ector (i.e., what tissues are involved) for the blood vessel constriction? For the
shivering?
. What areas of the body would be the most vulnerable to frostbite?
A Spill at Parsenn Bowl:
Knee Injury and Recovery“A Spill at Parsenn Bowl” by Elaine S. Chapman Page
Part II –The Emergency Room
Paramedic and Ski Patrol member Mondo brought Elaine into the emergency room and...