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Module 2

1. Module 2

1.39. Page 7

Lesson 5

Module 2—The Endocrine System

Reflect and Connect

 

Suppose you have a 92-year-old grandfather who lives in an extended care facility. He is sharp as a tack, but has Type 2 diabetes mellitus. He is very conscientious about making sure that he takes his medication regularly. You go to visit him, and he tells you about an incident that really scared him. He relates how he had become ill and experienced vomiting and diarrhea all day. He thinks that this was caused by the institutional food! He lost his appetite for eating but still tried to take his medication. A nurse found him unconscious on the floor of his room. Luckily, the facility physician diagnosed the cause and helped him. He asks you to help him understand what happened. What would you say?

 

Think about what you have learned in this lesson. Can you suggest what condition may have occurred in your grandfather’s blood because he stopped eating but tried to continue his medication? Can you predict what the physician did to treat your grandfather? Did your grandfather forget to monitor his blood glucose? Should he have been taking the medication if he was not eating? Did he know this? What information would you review with your grandfather about the role of his medicine? You may want to discuss these questions with your teacher to verify your ideas. Then, proceed with the Lesson 5 Assignment.

 

Before you begin the Lesson 5 Assignment, ask your teacher which questions on page 462 of the textbook you should use as a review. You may also choose to watch the entire “The Pancreas: Regulating Blood Glucose Levels” video. If you have any questions, consult with your teacher.

 

Module 2: Lesson 5 Assignment

 

Retrieve the copy of the Module 2: Lesson 5 Assignment that you saved to your computer earlier in this lesson. Complete all questions. Save your completed assignment in your course folder. You will receive instructions about when to submit your assignment to your teacher later in this lesson.

 

Reflect on the Big Picture

 

Think about your case study of Emily. The tumours caused by FMEN 1 usually caused excessive secretion of various hormones. The exception was the undersecretion of thyroid stimulating hormone by the anterior pituitary.

 

As you review this lesson, apply your knowledge to develop hypotheses about the following items:

  • the effect the tumours in the islets of the pancreas had on Emily

  • the effect to Emily’s blood glucose levels 

  • whether or not Emily became a diabetic

  • technologies and treatments that would be available, and how they would help Emily establish homeostasis
Going Beyond

 

A University of Alberta research team has developed a procedure called the Edmonton Protocol that helps people who have difficulty managing Type 1 diabetes undergo an islet transplant procedure. On page 466 in your textbook, read the interview with Dr. Edmond Ryan, Medical Director of the University of Alberta Clinical Islet Transplant Program.

  1. Research how islet transplantation in the Edmonton Protocol is performed.

  2. Islet transplant patients must wait for the treatment until donated organs become available. Outline three other potential sources of islet cells and outline the issues related with each source.

  3. Explain why stem cell research is important to islet cell transplantation.
Module 2: Lesson 5 Assignment

 

Submit your completed Module 2: Lesson 5 Assignment to your teacher for assessment.