Module 2

1. Module 2

1.42. Page 2

Lesson 6

Module 2—The Endocrine System

Explore

Regulating the Internal Environment

You and your friends are at a rock concert. Coloured lights are flashing, and the music is loud. You are dancing with your friends and having a great time. You see the changing lights, you hear and feel the music, and you sense the temperature of the room. Heart rate, breathing rate, body temperature, and sweating are all increased.

Your body is able to detect and respond to environmental change and is able to regulate your internal environment by the two control systems you have studied in this unit—the nervous and endocrine systems. Although they are structurally different in many ways, the two systems must constantly interact to control physiological processes such as heart rate.

Read

Read pages 436 to 437 in your textbook to explore how the nervous and endocrine systems are different.

The diagram illustrates the location of the major glands of the endocrine system in the human body. The endocrine system communicates with the nervous system to maintain homeostasis.

The diagram illustrates the major divisions of the nervous system in the human body, The nervous system communicates with the endocrine system to maintain homeostasis.

Self-Check

SC 1. To summarize the differences between the nervous and endocrine systems, complete a table like the following that contrasts the two systems with respect to method of communication, speed of communication, duration of response, target pathway, and what action is brought about by the effectors. Check your answers and file your work in your course folder.

Feature To Be Contrasted	Nervous System	Endocrine System
Method of Communication
Speed
Duration
Target Pathway
Action

Check your work.

Self-Check Answers

SC 1. Your table should resemble the one below.

Feature To Be Contrasted	Nervous System	Endocrine System
Method of Communication	neural pathways or electrochemical impulse transmission	hormones in bloodstream
Speed	very rapid (milliseconds)	relatively slow (minutes/hours/days)
Duration	short-term effects	longer-lasting effects
Target Pathway	specific through nerves to glands or muscles	hormones to a broad range of target cells
Action	causes glands to secrete or muscles to contract	causes changes in metabolic activity