The Human Endocrine & Nervous Systems Assignment Questions
Complete all of questions to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the nervous and endocrine systems. All answers must be fully in your own words and direct quotation from your sources is not permitted. You are encouraged to use labelled diagrams, either hand drawn or fully cited from secondary sources, where appropriate. You must include a references and bibliography for the full assignment with the final question.
Question 1 (AC1.1)
The nervous system is responsible for three main things; sensory input, information processing, and motor output, and has two main parts:
. The central nervous system which is made up of the brain and spinal cord.
· The peripheral nervous system which is made up of nerves that branch off from the spinal cord and extend to all parts of the body.
a) Identify the key parts of the brain using a diagram to help you. You then need to describe the function of each of those parts.
b) Use a diagram to help you identify the different parts of the peripheral nervous system. You then need to describe the functions of the spinal cord and peripheral nervous system.
Your answer to this question must not exceed 300 words.
Question 2 (AC1.2)
There are two main responses to stimuli: conscious actions and reflex actions.
a) Use a diagram to identify the component parts of the reflex arc.
b) Explain how each part of the reflex arc works together to produce a reflex action. Use an example of a reflex action to fully explain your ideas.
Your answer to this question must not exceed 300 words.
Question 3 (AC1.3)
The peripheral nervous system is a complex network of neurons with gaps between called synapses. Information is passed along the axons of the neurons as electrical impulses.
a) Explain the how a nerve impulse propagates along the axon of a neuron.
b) Explain how the electrical impulse can be transmitted across the synaptic gap.
Your answer to this question must not exceed 400 words.
Question 4 (AC2.1 & 2.2)
The nervous system sends electrical impulses that travel very rapidly and tends to result in short term effects, such as a muscle contraction. The endocrine system is responsible for much slower signals that tend to have a much longer lasting effect on the body.
a) Discuss how the endocrine system sends signals around the body, where the signals originate from, where they are targeted and explain why these signals take much longer than nerve impulses.
The major glands, hormones and target tissues can be included in a table which needs to be accompanied by a brief discussion of how the endocrine system works.
b) Explain how the activity of these endocrine glands are regulated.
Your answer to this question must not exceed 400 words.
Question 5 (AC3.1)
The endocrine and nervous systems work together to help us maintain our bodies in a constant state. We can only thrive if our core body temperature and blood glucose concentration are stable within a relatively narrow range. We sometimes need to react quickly to arising situations to mitigate harm to ourselves.
a) Discuss the negative feedback loop that allows us to maintain a stable core body temperature around 36.5ºC. You may use a diagram to help you if you wish.
b) Discuss the negative feedback loop that allows us to maintain a mean blood glucose concentration of around 5.5 mmol/L (100 mg/dL). You may use a diagram to help you if you wish.
c) Discuss the purpose of the 'fight or flight' response and how our nervous system and endocrine system work together to affect this response.
Your answer to this question must not exceed 600 words.
