S437 Anatomy & Physiology
Endocrine System Project
Name:__________________________
Date:______________Pd:___________
Purpose:
To allow each student to learn about the Endocrine Glands that make up the endocrine system, their
hormones produced and their affects on the body. To become familiar with the problems that can be
experienced if the endocrine system does not operate properly. Students will use organizational skills,
internet research proficiency, and communication in oral and written forms to complete this project.
Background:
We have just completed our study of the Nervous System and have learned about the various types of
processes the Nervous System controls. Neurons communicate with each other and with effector organs
by way of nerve impulses. Nerve impulses are transmitted by the use of neurotransmitters. The Nervous
System carries out fast responses to stimuli gathered from both inside and outside the body.
In contrast to the Nervous System, the Endocrine System carries out its actions by employing specialized
proteins called hormones. Each gland in the Endocrine System releases specific hormones that carry out
specific action in their target tissues/organs/cells. The Endocrine System carries out long term,
regulatory processes. Thus, the Endocrine system has a much slower speed of operation relative to the
Nervous System.
Requirements:
1. Each pair of students will conduct research on one of the following endocrine glands or endocrine
gland regions: (below each gland/region you will find some specific information that must be addressed
in your project)
hypothalamus and posterior pituitary gland
connection to the nervous system, ADH, Oxytocin
adrenal cortex
long term stress response
anterior pituitary gland I - TSH, FSH, LH, Prolactin
pancreas(Islets of Langerhans - alpha and beta
cells)
diabetes mellitus
- both type I and type II
anterior pituitary gland II - ACTH, MSH, GH
thymus gland and pineal gland
thyroid gland
Testes -- including effects of anabolic steroids on
the male body
parathyroid glands
ovaries and placenta
including effects of anabolic steroids on the female
body
adrenal medulla
short term stress response
2. Each pair of students will prepare a HAND written paper covering ALL of the following questions:
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Where in the body can the gland(s) be located? What hormones does the gland produce?
What type of hormone (amine, peptide, proteins, glycoproteins, steroids) are the hormones
produced by the gland?
What effect do each of the produced hormones have on the human body?
Why are the hormones produced by the gland(s) important in the maintenance of homeostasis?
What is the specific target tissue/organ/cell of the hormones released by the gland(s)?
What is the form of control (positive feedback, negative feedback, nerve control) for the release
of each hormone? How are your hormones stimulated to be released?
What are the antagonistic hormones (if any) to your hormones? If there aren’t any, say that as
well.
What happens if the gland does not operate properly? (effects of hypersecretion,
hyposecretion, include specific names – diseases related to improper secret properly)
What causes the diseases of hypo/hypersecretion (tumor, genetics, old age)? If there is more
than one cause include the most common cause. What can be done medically to correct any
improper secretion of hormones? If there are no specific disorders or diseases, discuss what
changes occur with the hormone over a life span.
3. Each pair of students will prepare a PowerPoint presentation covering all of the above information
about their endocrine gland/region. The PowerPoint will be presented to the class.
The following is required for your presentation:
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title page slide with partners names listed
slides with phrases not paragraphs
all members of the group must contribute to the presentation
all information/questions listed in #2 above are covered in your presentation
include an image of the location of your gland(s) in the human body
include an image of your gland isolated
where possible, include images of the feedback mechanisms that control the release of your
hormone (a diagrammatic representation of the control - flow chart, etc.). During your
presentation you must describe the image.
if there are physical abnormalities associated with the hyper/hyposecretion disorders you have
found, include an image of the abnormalities
You MUST include a reference address for any image you include in your presentation, the
reference address must be below the image (it can be a very small font).
You MUST include a slide with a list of the websites you used in collecting your
information...keep a very good list as you go along so you don't leave any sites out. Even if you
acquired only one definition at a site, you must include it. You must use at least 5 websites - not
including websites used for images.