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Module 2

1. Module 2

1.44. Page 4

Lesson 6

Module 2—The Endocrine System

Reflect and Connect

 

You will now have the opportunity to reflect on the glands and hormones of the endocrine system and how they contribute to homeostasis. You will do this by considering Emily and the consequences of having FMEN 1. Answer the following questions and post your response to the course discussion area. Reflect on and respond to at least two other responses.

 

Respond to the following questions:

  • In Emily’s case, as far as you know, has the hypothalamus successfully carried out its functions of control and co-ordination?

  • Where has the control of the endocrine system broken down?

  • How was the control by feedback compromised by tumours in the parathyroid glands?

  • Did tumours develop in the thyroid gland? What was causing Emily’s hypothyroidism? Where did control of the thyroid gland break down?

  • Emily was experiencing acromegaly. What caused this?

  • Why do you think Emily’s secretions of epinephrine were normal?

  • How is it that even though Emily’s secretions of epinephrine were normal, her body showed all the effects of the fight-or-flight response?

  • How did FMEN 1 affect Emily’s blood glucose regulation? Is Emily a diabetic?
Self-Check

 

Review the differences between the nervous system and the endocrine system by completing the following multiple-choice questions. Check your answers. Discuss any concepts that you do not understand with your teacher.

 

SC 12. Which of the following statements about hormones is not correct?

  1. They are produced by endocrine glands.
  2. They travel to target cells in the body.
  3. They are carried by the circulatory system.
  4. They are used to communicate between different organisms.

SC 13. The hypothalamus controls the anterior pituitary by means of

  1. tropic hormones carried by nerve cells
  2. nervous stimulation by the sympathetic nervous system
  3. releasing hormones in the bloodstream
  4. both nervous and hormonal stimulation

SC 14. Which of the following statements about the hypothalamus is not correct?

  1. It functions as an endocrine gland.
  2. It is part of the central nervous system.
  3. It is subject to negative feedback.
  4. Its neurosecretory cells terminate in the anterior pituitary.

SC 15. Which of the following glands is controlled directly by the hypothalamus or central nervous system and not the anterior pituitary?

  1. pancreas
  2. adrenal medulla
  3. adrenal cortex
  4. posterior pituitary

SC 16. In humans, the nervous and endocrine systems are similar in that both

  1. secrete chemical messages
  2. operate at the voluntary and involuntary level
  3. use highly specialized pathways
  4. respond very rapidly to stimuli

SC 17. The main difference between the endocrine and nervous system is that only the endocrine system

  1. secretes chemical messengers
  2. is regulated by negative feedback
  3. depends on specialized neurosecretory cells
  4. relies completely on the circulatory system for transport

SC 18. Compared with the response to a nerve impulse, the response to a hormone is usually

  1. shorter in duration and more widespread in effect
  2. shorter in duration and less widespread in effect
  3. longer in duration and more widespread in effect
  4. longer in duration and less widespread in effect
Check your work.
Self-Check Answers

 

SC 12. D
SC 13. C
SC 14. D
SC 15. B
SC 16. A
SC 17. D
SC 18. C

 

 

Reflect on the Big Picture

 

Despite the challenges of living with FMEN1, Emily is married and leads a happy and productive life. She has had to quit her job as a science technician and has accepted a part-time job where she can take time off when she needs to deal with symptoms of her hormonal imbalances or when her immune system does not do its job. What are some of the medical technologies or interventions that you have learned about in this module that could help Emily re-establish homeostasis?

 

Module 2: Lesson 6 Assignment

 

Retrieve the copy of the Module 2: Lesson 6 Assignment that you saved to your computer earlier in this lesson. Complete all of the questions.

 

Submit your completed Assignment to your teacher for assessment.