This discussion is an investigation of a model of the human cardiac cycle by a parametric curve. The discussion should be used after the students have read Section 2.3: Modelling with Parametric Curves of the text and assumes a familiarity with the pump model given there. The goals of the discussion are to allow students to explore a more complicated model in depth and to reinforce the mathematical concepts from Sections 2.1 and 2.2 of the text.
The model described is a model for the volume and pressure of a human heart through one cardiac cycle. All of the necessary physiological information is given in the introduction to the discussion. The curve modelling the cardiac cycle cannot be given in symbolic form and students must use the plot of the curve to obtain qualitative information. This discussion can be completed in one class with time for a write-up of the results outside of class or it can be assigned as an out-of class collaborative exercise.