TRY IT OUT!

The Nervous and the Endocrine System

Answer the following questions. You may use the Internet or other reference materials.

Questions:
1. You already know that a neuron is the functional unit of the nervous system. Show or
diagram the path of a nerve impulse in the box.

 This indicates that the first event in this sequence is a 'stimulus'. 'Stimuli'

is the plural form, referring to more than one stimulus. In this context a
stimulus is something that human sensory receptors are able to detect,
e.g. sounds, physical contact, tastes, visual sensation, etc..
 The next stage in the pathway is the sensory receptors sensing the
stimulus. These receptors are located all over the body but some types of
receptors are in specific areas of the body, e.g. taste receptors in
the mouth.
 Sensory neuron(s) then transmit information from the sensory receptor(s)
to the central nervous system (CNS), i.e. the brain and spinal cord. This
is happens because peripheral nerves connect to the spinal cord via the
network of nerves within the nervous system.
 Information so received by the CNS is further transmitted by relay
neuron(s) within the CNS.

2. The cerebrum is divided into two hemispheres. Each hemisphere has four lobes. What are
these four lobes and their functions?

Traditionally, each of the hemispheres has been divided into four lobes: frontal, parietal,
temporal and occipital:

 Frontal - is generally where higher executive functions including emotional

regulation, planning, reasoning and problem solving occur.
 Parietal - Areas in the parietal lobe are responsible for integrating sensory
information, including touch, temperature, pressure and pain. Because of the
processing that occurs in the parietal lobe, we are able to, for example, discern from
touch alone that two objects touching the skin at nearby points are distinct, rather than
one object.
  Temporal - contains regions dedicated to processing sensory information,
particularly important for hearing, recognizing language, and forming memories.  

 Occipital - The occipital lobe is the major visual processing center in the brain.

The primary visual cortex, also known as V1, receives visual information from the
eyes. This information is relayed to several secondary visual processing areas, which
interpret depth, distance, location and the identity of seen objects.

3. Give at least two diseases of the nervous system. Include the symptoms and treatment for
each.

Disease Description Symptoms Treatment

Parkinson's disease
can't be cured, but
medications can help
control your
symptoms, often
dramatically. In some
Bradykinesia (slow later cases, surgery
Parkinson's disease is a
physical movement), may be advised.
neurodegenerative
muscle rigidity, and Your doctor may also
disorder, which leads to
tremors. Behavior, recommend lifestyle
Parkinson’s progressive deterioration
thinking, sensation changes, especially
Disease of motor function due to
disorders, and the ongoing aerobic
loss of dopamine-
sometimes co-morbid exercise. In some
producing brain cells.
skin condition cases, physical
Seborrheic dermatitis therapy that focuses
on balance and
stretching also is
important. A speech-
language pathologist
may help improve
your speech problems.

Huntington’s disease The hallmark

(HD) is a fatal genetic symptom of
disorder that causes the Huntington's disease Medications can help
progressive breakdown is uncontrolled control fidgety
of nerve cells in the movement of the movements. Your
brain. It deteriorates a arms, legs, head, face doctor can work
person’s physical and and upper body. closely with you to
mental abilities during Huntington's disease manage any side
their prime working also causes a decline effects and to change
Huntington’s years and has no in thinking and medications, if needed.
Disease cure. This disease causes reasoning skills, Speech or language
changes in the central including memory, therapy may be
area of the brain, which concentration, helpful for any
affect movement, mood judgment and ability problems with speech
and thinking skills. to plan and organize. or swallowing.
Occupational or
physical therapy may
help you learn how to
better control
movements. And
 assistive devices such
as handrails can help
you manage your
changing physical
abilities.
Nutritional
support ranges from
using special utensils
to focusing on nutrient-
dense foods to
supplementing with
tube feeding in later
stages.
Exercise may be very
helpful. People with
Huntington's who stay
as fit and active as they
can seem to do better
than those who do not.

4. Refer to Table 7.2. Give at least two examples of hormones that currently affect you in
your adolescent stage. What are their effects?

 Estrogen
In addition to regulating the menstrual cycle, estrogen affects the reproductive tract,
the urinary tract, the heart and blood vessels, bones, breasts, skin, hair, mucous membranes,
pelvic muscles, and the brain. Secondary sexual characteristics, such as pubic and armpit
hair, also start to grow when estrogen levels rise. Many organ systems, including the
musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems, and the brain are affected by estrogen.

 Progesterone

 Maintains secretory  Restores proper cell oxygen

endometrium levels
 Protects against breast  Prevents endometrial cancer
fibrocysts  Helps prevent breast cancer1
 Helps use fat for energy  Decreased risk of prostate
 Natural diuretic cancer
 Natural anti-depressant &  Stimulates new bone
calms anxiety formation
 Prevents cyclical migraines  Improves vascular tone
 Promotes normal sleep  Prevents autoimmune
patterns diseases
 Facilitates thyroid hormone  Increases sensitivity of
function estrogen receptors
 Helps normalize blood sugar  Necessary for survival of
levels embryo
 Normalizes blood clotting  Precursor of corticosteroid
 Helps restores normal libido biosynthesis
 Normalizes zinc and copper  Prevents coronary artery
levels spasm and
 atherosclerotic plaque.
5. Do hormones affect behavior? In what ways?

In terms of their behavior, one can think of humans and other animals
conceptually as comprised of three interacting components: (1) input systems (sensory
systems), (2) integrators (the central nervous system), and (3) output systems, or effectors
(e.g., muscles). Hormones do not cause behavioral changes. Rather, hormones influence
these three systems so that specific stimuli are more likely to elicit certain responses in
the appropriate behavioral or social context. In other words, hormones change the
probability that a particular behavior will be emitted in the appropriate situation (Nelson,
2011). This is a critical distinction that can affect how we think of hormone-behavior
relationships.
Hormones coordinate the physiology and behavior of individuals by regulating,
integrating, and controlling bodily functions. Over evolutionary time, hormones have
often been co-opted by the nervous system to influence behavior to ensure reproductive
success. For example, the same hormones, testosterone and estradiol, that cause gamete
(egg or sperm) maturation also promote mating behavior. This dual hormonal function
ensures that mating behavior occurs when animals have mature gametes available for
fertilization. Another example of endocrine regulation of physiological and behavioral
function is provided by pregnancy. Estrogens and progesterone concentrations are
elevated during pregnancy, and these hormones are often involved in mediating maternal
behavior in the mothers.

6. How would you maintain the normal functioning of the nervous and the endocrine
systems?

 Nervous System

 Exercise regularly. Talk to your doctor about an exercise plan that will be right for
you.

 Do not smoke or use other tobacco products. 

 Get plenty of rest.
 Take care of health conditions that may cause decreased nervous system functioning,
such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
 Eat a balanced diet. A balanced, low-fat diet with ample sources of vitamins B6, B12,
and folate will help protect the nervous system. Make sure that your diet contains lots
of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

 Drink plenty of water and other fluids. This helps prevent dehydration, which can
cause confusion and memory problems.
 Do not use alcohol or illegal drugs, which can affect functioning long after use.
 Have your hearing or vision tested. When you do not hear or see well, it is hard for
your brain to record information.
 Set priorities, and concentrate on one thing at a time. Older adults have a harder time
than younger people giving their attention to more than one activity.
 Increase your attention span and ability to focus by learning new skills.
 Keep written notes. Write all your plans on a calendar where you can look at them
often.
 Use a medicine box with spaces for each day. This will help you remember when to
take your medicines. Take your medicines exactly as they are prescribed.
 Decrease your use of nonprescription medicines. Overuse of medicines may be the
single biggest cause of nervous system problems in older adults.
 Develop a positive attitude about your abilities. Reject the notion that nervous system
(neurological) functioning declines with age.

 Protect yourself from head injuries.

 Prevent falls in your home.

 Endocrine System

 Eat healthy. Transitioning to a healthy diet is one of the best ways to nudge your
body’s system back to normal. A healthy diet has the right amount of calories that
your body needs to get you going for the day, support you in your sleep, and handle
stress as well. Make sure you include a variety of whole food and plant-based options
like vegetables and fresh fruits. 
 Minimize the junk. Too much sugar, alcohol, and caffeine can wreak havoc to the
endocrine system. Sugar and excess caffeine can cause your insulin levels to spike
down.
 Get enough sleep.  If you lack sleep all the time, no hormone in the body will
function naturally. This will result to stress, sudden weight gain, and even serious
health issues to occur. Get at least seven to eight hours – nothing more and nothing
less.
 Exercise. They actually help lower stress, even out your hormones and let your body
produce feel good chemicals. If you prefer hardcore exercises like boxing or sprinting
because they pump you up and reduce stress, then by all means do so. However, if it
makes you tired and more stressed, try another exercise routine that is not as intense.