Module 2
1. Module 2
1.31. Page 5
Module 2—The Endocrine System
Reflect and Connect
Many articles have been written about the fact that North Americans, including Canadians, consume too much table salt. (Did you know that McDonald’s salts its fries differently in Canada than in the United States?)
Your friend has told you he thinks he consumes way too much table salt, and he has decided to begin a sodium-free diet. He has eliminated table salt, preserved meats, seafood, and dairy products from his diet. Recently, his neck area has become swollen. He feels very tired, is lacking energy, and feels cold all the time even though everyone around him finds the temperature comfortable. He is also astonished to see that he gained weight even though he has little appetite!
Think about what you have learned in this lesson. Based on your friend’s symptoms, what do you think has happened to his endocrine system? Why would you advise him to stop his self-prescribed diet and see a doctor immediately? Why is it important to thoroughly research ideas and consult with your family doctor before beginning a diet such as the one outlined above? You may want to discuss these ideas with your friends and teacher.
Before you begin the Lesson 4 Assignment, you may choose to view all of “The Thyroid Gland: Waging the Battle for Metabolism.”
You may choose to try the questions on page 450 of the textbook. This is an opportunity to discuss any of the concepts in this lesson with your teacher before you begin the Lesson 4 Assignment.
Module 2: Lesson 4 Assignment
Retrieve the copy of the Module 2: Lesson 4 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
As you have seen, FMEN 1 has far-reaching effects on the endocrine system. The presence of the tiny tumours in Emily’s anterior pituitary, adrenal glands, and parathyroid glands has either led to an undersecretion or an oversecretion of a multiple number of hormones. Loss of homeostasis occurs because chemical communication through negative feedback mechanisms is disrupted.
Using as many of the new terms that you have learned as you can, start drawing a rough draft of a concept map that connects how the anterior pituitary tumours have affected ACTH, TSH, and hGH and their regulatory pathways concerning cortisol, aldosterone, thyroxine, and hGH production. Include how the tumours in the adrenal gland and parathyroid glands have affected epinephrine and PTH production. Use terms such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, myxedema, cretinism, Grave’s disease, goitre, and iodine. This draft will become part of your final concept map at the end of the module.
Module 2: Lesson 4 Assignment
Submit your completed Module 2: Lesson 4 Assignment to your teacher for assessment.