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Endocrine System Research Task

The endocrine system is a complex network of glands and hormones that provides communication between the nervous system and bodily functions. It includes glands like the pituitary, thyroid, pancreas, ovaries/testes, and more. Hormones are chemical messengers secreted into the bloodstream by endocrine glands to regulate things like metabolism, growth, reproduction, and mood. The nervous and endocrine systems work together to control all bodily processes through electrical and chemical signaling.

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Shaheen Ali
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258 views

Endocrine System Research Task

The endocrine system is a complex network of glands and hormones that provides communication between the nervous system and bodily functions. It includes glands like the pituitary, thyroid, pancreas, ovaries/testes, and more. Hormones are chemical messengers secreted into the bloodstream by endocrine glands to regulate things like metabolism, growth, reproduction, and mood. The nervous and endocrine systems work together to control all bodily processes through electrical and chemical signaling.

Uploaded by

Shaheen Ali
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM!


Background:
The endocrine system is a complex network of glands, hormones and receptors. It provides the
key communication and control link between the nervous system and bodily functions such as
reproduction, immunity, metabolism and behavior.
In nearly all complex multicellular animals, there are two main systems controlling and coordinating
the processes within the body:
 The nervous system, which exerts rapid point-to-point control by means of electrical signals
passing down the nerves to particular organs or tissues.
 The endocrine system, which is a slower system based on chemical messengers, the hormones,
which are secreted into the blood (or other extracellular fluids) and can reach all parts of the
body.
The nervous system works in tandem with the endocrine system to control all bodily functions and
processes.

Your mission: Become familiar with the endocrine system, how it relates to the nervous system and the result of
this interaction on the body.

PART 1: What is the Endocrine System?

Link: https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/endocrine.html

Questions:
1) What are the main functions of the endocrine system?

2) What are HORMONES? What is their function? (HINT: highlighted terms have definitions!)

3) Which factors affect hormone levels in your blood?

4) Which gland is part of the endocrine system AND the digestive system? What is its function?

5) What are the reproductive glands / structures in males? In females? What do these structures do?

6) How can you keep your endocrine system healthy?

7) What are symptoms that might indicate you should see a doctor for a potential endocrine disorder?
PART 2: The Glands and their Associated Hormones

Link: https://www.abpischools.org.uk/topics/hormones-and-their-effects/where-are-the-endocrine-

glands/

1) Label the following 8 Endocrine glands

(same as #1)

(part of immune sys!)

2) Now complete this table of all the hormones and their functions (pages 3-8 on this webpage)

Hormone Function
LH
FSH
Estrogen
Progesterone
Testosterone
Insulin*
Growth Hormone*
Adrenaline
ADH

*what is diabetes?

*what happens with too little / too much growth hormone?


PART 3: Chemical Signaling Mechanisms
1) Use the information in the link below to answer the following questions:
Link: https://www.wisc-online.com/learn/career-clusters/health-science/
mea5918/glands-of-the-endocrine-system

**Click through the interactive (click “next” to move to the next slide)
a) What main gland (hint: in the brain!) is involved with the stress response?

b) What part of the nervous system does the hypothalamus interact with?

c) Explain the physiological changes that occur when the hypothalamus stimulates the sympathetic nervous
system. You can make a flowchart or a simple step process. Be sure to include ALL chemicals/hormones
secreted, glands involved and the functions of each chemical/hormone.

d) Why is physical exercise often suggested if you experience an abundance of stress?

PART 4: The Hypothalmic-Pituitary-Endocrine Axis and Positive and Negative Feedback Loops

1) Use the information in the following link to answer the questions below.
Link: http://highered.mcgraw-
hill.com/sites/9834092339/student_view0/chapter46/positive_and_negative_feedback.html

**you probably need to “enable” or “allow” adobe flash player in order to view the animations

A) What is the difference between negative and positive feedback? Discuss them in terms of the
changes in the process vs. the changes in the amount of the product. Hint: Read the text above the
animation!

B) In the animation, what hormone stimulates the release of GnHR and LH?
C) Explain why the interaction between estrogen, GnHR and LH prior to ovulation is considered to be a
positive feedback loop (effect)? Hint: review the definitions of positive feedback loops.

D) After ovulation, what hormone is released in response to increased levels of LH?

E) Explain why the interaction between progesterone, GnHR and LH after ovulation is considered a
negative feedback loop (effect)? Hint: review the definitions of negative feedback loops.

2) Negative Feedback: Insulin and Glucagon – Control of Blood Sugar & Homeostasis
LINK: https://www.biologycorner.com/worksheets/feedback_loops.html

A) The image shows two different types of stimuli (1 and 2), but doesn’t explain what the stimulus is that
causes the blood sugar to raise or lower. Based on clues in this graphic, what are the two stimuli (or
events) that would cause these changes in blood glucose levels?

B) What is the effect of glucagon? Which cells release glucagon?

C) What is the effect of insulin? What cells release insulin?

D) What is the normal level of glucose in the blood? Why is this called a “set point”?

E) What would you expect to happen if you blood sugar as 120 mg / 100 mL? Be specific.

F) A person with diabetes cannot regulate their blood sugar, mainly because the pancreas does not
release enough insulin (type I). To treat the disease, a person must monitor their blood sugar, and if
their blood sugar is high, they must take an injection of insulin. How do you think they would need to
treat low blood sugar?

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