Meet a Scientist - Dr. O'Connell

Dr O'Connell studies the soft tissues in the ________, specifically the squishy discs between the vertabrae.

Word Choices: (CHOOSE ONE OF THE WORDS BELOW TO FILL IN THE BLANK)

CELLS. CUSHIONS TISSUE OXTAILS. SPINE

Tags

CCSS.L.1.6

CCSS.L.3.6

CCSS.L.K.5A

Intervertebral discs act like _________ between the vertebrae, allowing the spine to bend.

Word Choices: (CHOOSE ONE OF THE WORDS BELOW TO FILL IN THE BLANK)

CELLS. CUSHIONS TISSUE OXTAILS. SPINE

Tags

CCSS.L.1.6

CCSS.L.3.6

CCSS.L.K.5A

O'Connell's lab has two main goals: to study the healthy discs and to grow new disc _______ that behaves like healthy discs

Word Choices: (CHOOSE ONE OF THE WORDS BELOW TO FILL IN THE BLANK)

CELLS. CUSHIONS TISSUE OXTAILS. SPINE

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.10

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

Some of the cells O'Connell studies come from human medical patients, while others come from ______ from the butcher shop.

Word Choices: (CHOOSE ONE OF THE WORDS BELOW TO FILL IN THE BLANK)

CELLS. CUSHIONS TISSUE OXTAILS. SPINE

Tags

CCSS.L.5.5C

O'Connell says one of the biggest challenges is that the _______ don't always do what you want them to.

Word Choices: (CHOOSE ONE OF THE WORDS BELOW TO FILL IN THE BLANK)

CELLS. CUSHIONS TISSUE OXTAILS. SPINE

Tags

CCSS.L.1.6

CCSS.L.3.6

CCSS.L.K.5A

What does O'Connell hope to change about the way doctors treat damaged or worn-out discs?

• remove the discs completely

• grow brand-new disc tissue to replace old or injured discs

• use metal implants instead of discs

• fuse more vertebrae together

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

What was O'Connell's original career interest before studying bioengineering?

• medicine

• chemistry

• aeronautical engineering

• marine biology

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.3

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.3

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

Why do doctor's currently glue vertebrae together when treating worn-out discs?

• to increase flexibility

• to reduce plain

• to make the spine longer

• to improve posture

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.3

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.3

CCSS.RI.8.5

What does Dr. O'Connell say is the hardest part of her job?

• working long hours

• dealing with dangerous materials

• finding out that there are some things that nobody knows

• getting funding for research

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

According to the article, what creates the tissue that gives a joint its function?

• bones

• muscles

• cells

• nerves

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.3

CCSS.RI.7.3

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.3

CCSS.RI.8.5