Module 2 - The Endocrine System


Introduction


In the first module of this unit, you discovered how the body senses any changes in its environment and then communicates these changes through the peripheral nervous system to the brain and the spinal cord. In this module, you will explore the chemical mechanisms the endocrine system has for detecting and responding to stress and the endocrine system helps to maintain homeostasis. The focus is on the major organs of the endocrine system, the hormonal secretions they produce, and the effects of the hormones on the body.

When the endocrine system functions improperly, the effects on the body can be quite disruptive or even life-threatening. You may know of someone whose endocrine system is functioning incorrectly. In this lesson, you will explore how the endocrine system communicates chemically with the body to maintain homeostasis when it experiences various stresses.


The Endocrine System. Thymus and pineal gland are not part of this course.

© Mar 20, 2015 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 license.


Suggested Timeline

This module has seven lessons. Please use the following suggested timeline to help keep on track. Keep in mind that the number of hours required on each lesson varies among individuals. Some students may find they need significantly more time to study the course material, while others who have completed this course before might require less time. Use the following table as a guide to set your own personal timeline to complete this course.


Lesson  Topic Suggested Number of Hours to Spend on the Lesson
 (Studying, Reading, Labs, Self-Checks and Assignments)  		Equivalent Number of  Classes in School
 1 The Endocrine System
 2 hours
 1 class
 2 Antidiuretic Hormone and Oxytocin
 2 hours
 1 class
 3 Human Growth Hormone
 2 hours
 1 class
 4 The Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands
 5 hours
 2 classes
 5 The Adrenal Gland
 5 hours
 2 classes
 6 The Pancreas
 5 hours
 2 classes
 7 Hypothalamus-Pituitary Complex
 3 hours
 1 class

If you plan to spend about 2 hours per day on this course, you might complete this module in about 2.5 weeks.


Assignments

There are three assignments in this module. Assignment 2A and 2B are computer graded and you will receive immediate feedback. Assignment 2C contains written response type questions and will not be computer graded.

 Assignment
 Topic  Number of Questions
 Total Marks
 Assignment 2A
 Lessons 1 ~ 4
 36 Questions
 39 Marks
 Assignment 2B
 Lessons 5 ~ 7
 41 Questions
 41 Marks
 Assignment 2C (Written)
 Lessons 1 ~ 7
 24 Questions
 49 Marks