Unit Intro

Unit A Introduction

In this first unit of Biology 30, you will examine the structure and function of the nervous and endocrine systems in detail. You will study how humans interact with their internal and external environments, and how the two aforementioned systems respond to maintain equilibrium and system health. Throughout this exploration you will become aware of the role of technology in detecting, analyzing, and enhancing the functions of these systems.

 

You may recall from Biology 20 that you learned a great deal about equilibrium and maintaining a balance. In the first unit of Biology 20 you learned about equilibrium in the biosphere, how it is achieved, and the human impact on this balance. In the last unit of Biology 20 you learned how the human organism balances energy and matter in the environment through the processes of gas exchange, digestion, excretion and circulation. In this unit, you will develop a greater awareness of the structures and functions of your own nervous and endocrine systems and the conditions necessary to maintain their homeostasis.

 

There are two modules in this unit. The first module is dedicated to the nervous system, which responds to internal and external stimulation. Here you will explore how the nervous system communicates this information throughout the body. The second module will focus on the role of the endocrine system and how it works to support homeostasis by releasing hormones into the blood.

 

Together, these modules will support your understanding of how the two systems work together in maintaining equilibrium and system health while the body responds to constantly changing internal and external environments.

 

Specifically, you will learn to

  • describe how the nervous and endocrine systems maintain homeostasis

  • explain how the human body maintains equilibrium between its internal and external environments

  • describe what physiological processes and control systems are involved in maintaining homeostasis

  • analyze what medical technologies are available to treat disorders of the nervous and endocrine systems