Endocrine System Project
Anatomy & Physiology
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:
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 group of 2-3 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)
1. hypothalamus and posterior pituitary gland
connection to the nervous system, ADH, Oxytocin
2. adrenal cortex
long term stress response
Addison’s disease
3. anterior pituitary gland I - TSH, FSH, LH, Prolactin
4. pancreas(Islets of Langerhans - alpha and beta cells)
diabetes type 1
5. anterior pituitary gland II - ACTH, MSH, GH
6. pancreas (Islets of Langerhans - alpha and beta cells)
– diabetes type 2, insulin resistance
7. parathyroid glands
8. Testes -- including effects of anabolic steroids on the
male body
9. adrenal medulla
short term stress response
10. ovaries and placenta
including effects of anabolic steroids on the female body
2. Each pair of students will prepare a typed or NEATLY hand written 1 page paper minimum covering ALL of the
following questions (this info is also on the PPT):
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Where in the body can the gland(s) be located? What hormones does the gland produce?
What type of hormone (steroid or nonsteroid [amine, peptide, proteins, glycoproteins]) 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)
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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.
Who has had this disease before? Any famous people, people in your life, or unknown people you discover in
your research?
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 and an image of a person with the disease
clearly define and new/key words for your organ
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 4 websites - not including websites used for images.
Put these slides in any order that teaches the class the details of how the endocrine organ works, what it
looks like, how it can go wrong, how to treat it, etc. You are teaching it and explaining it, so make it easy to
understand! Capture the audience’s attention with your voice and your slides!
Due on Monday/Tuesday October 14th/15th, 2013.
Key words you must use:
-endocrine organ/gland
-hormone
-target cell/organ
-hyposecretion/hypersecretion
Project Rubric
1.0 – 1.9
2.0 – 2.6
- Not all group members speak
- Answers less than half the questions on the previous
page.
- Does not use key terms effectively
- Not enough visuals to see what the organ, hormones,
and disease is
- Cannot answer questions from the audience
- All group members speak
- Answers most of the required questions.
- Uses all key terms clearly
- Contains visuals on each slide
- Answers at least 1 question from the audience
2.7 – 3.3
3.4 – 4.l0
- Every group member speaks clearly
- Answers all the required questions
- Contains appropriate visuals on each slide
- Slides have paraphrasing of appropriate information
- Answers several questions from the audience
- Explains each key term in extra detail and clarity.
- Answers all the required question in both the
presentation and submitted written response.
- Each answer to the question has extra detail.
- Presentation slides are neat and uses easy to
understand paraphrasing and good visuals
- All group members speak loudly and clearly and makes
eye contact for most of the presentation.
- Answers questions from the audience thoroughly with
extra detail to make it clear
Project Includes:
1 Spoken Presentation
1 PPT File
1 Typed or Written Report With Everyone’s Names