Lab 6
Approximate Time: 3 hours
Learning Objectives
-
- Divisions of the Nervous System: List and explain the major divisions of the nervous system.
- Key Endocrine Terms: Define primary endocrine glands, ADH, oxytocin, TRH, CRH, GnRH, TSH, ACTH, and LH.
- Endocrine vs. Nervous Systems: Describe the differences between the endocrine and nervous systems.
- Hypothalamus-Pituitary Relationship: Explain the relationship between the hypothalamus and both the anterior and posterior pituitary glands.
- Tropic Hormones: Understand the role and function of tropic hormones.
- Hormonal Feedback Loops: Understand the feedback loops involved in regulating hormone release.
- Hormonal Actions: Understand the various actions of hormones at their target cells.
- Hormonal Pathways: Describe the pathways of the three hormones covered in this lab: thyroid hormones, cortisol, and testosterone.
- POPS Project:
Activity 1A: Chemical classification of messengers
| Endocrine Organ | Hormone Released | Chemical Classification
(amino acid, amine, peptide/protein, steroid, eicosanoids) |
| Hypothalamus | TRH | |
| Anterior Pituitary | ACTH | |
| Posterior Pituitary | ADH | |
| Thyroid Gland | TH | |
| Adrenal Gland | Cortisol | |
| Pancreas | Insulin | |
| Testes | Testosterone | |
| Ovaries | Estradiol |
Activity 1B: Chemical Messengers
| Endocrine Organ | Hormone Released | Effect |
| Hypothalamus | TRH | |
| Anterior Pituitary | ACTH | |
| Posterior Pituitary | ADH | |
| Thyroid Gland | TH | |
| Adrenal Gland | Cortisol | |
| Pancreas | Insulin | |
| Testes | Testosterone | |
| Ovaries | Estradiol |
Activity 2: Predict Impact of Hormone treatment on the organ weights and body weight
The class should be divided into small groups of three or four students per group. Each student in the group should receive a copy of Table 1. Using the background material, the students should complete Table 1, in each column predicting the impact of specific hormone treatment on the weights of various organs. Not all hormones will have impacts on all organs. A + denotes an increase in size. A – denotes a decrease in size. Place the letters NC in the box where no change occurs. Leave the cell blank if the hormone is predicted to have to impact on the organ. Have your instructor check your predictions.
TABLE 1- Comparison of hormonal effects on organ weight and body weight (to be completed by students)
| TRH | TSH | ACTH | Cortisol | Testosterone intact | Testosterone castrate | LH intact | LH castrate | |
| Pituitary gland | ||||||||
| Thyroid gland | ||||||||
| Adrenal glands | ||||||||
| Thymus gland | ||||||||
| Testes | ||||||||
| Prostate gland | ||||||||
| Seminal vesicles | ||||||||
| Body weight |
**In each column, predict the impact of treatment with the indicated hormone on weight of the organs indicated. Not all organs will be impacted by all hormone treatments. A + denotes an increase in size. A – denotes a decrease in size. Place the letters NC in the box where no change occurs. TRH, thyrotropin-releasing hormone; TSH, thyroid stimulating hormone; ACTH, adrenocorticotropin hormone; LH, luteinizing hormone
Activity 3: Unknown Hormone
This Week’s focus for the POPS Project Includes:
- Identify group members who share similar research interests and have compatible schedules to ensue you have common times to meet. Forming groups quickly will maximize your time for brainstorming and data collection.
- Each member should find at least two peer-reviewed articles on the chosen topic to discuss as a group net week.
Refer to the “Finding an Article” section at the end of the manual for more detailed instructions.