Name _____________________________________________

Kaede Chung
LS7C Week 3A Pre-Class Reading Guide
Fill out this worksheet as you complete your pre-class assignments. Bring your completed worksheet to class to use as a
reference for in-class activities.

After completing your pre-class assignments, you should be able to:

• Describe the mechanism of action for a G-protein coupled receptor pathway
• Identify the components of a homeostatic negative feedback system.
• Explain how each component of a homeostatic negative feedback system contributes to maintaining
physiological stability.
• Differentiate between negative feedback and positive feedback, providing examples of each.
• Explain when and why hormones are released
• Define the different types of hormones
• Discuss the role that hormones play in the maintenance of homeostasis

1. The figure below shows an example of a G-protein coupled receptor pathway. For each labeled (A-D) step in the
pathway, provide a brief description for what is happening. In your descriptions, try to use the terms g-protein and
second messenger. You may find it helpful to refer to Figures 9.10 and 9.11 in your textbook.
when the alpha subunit is bound to GDP,
A. 3 subunits join together and the G-
protein is inactive. Once the G-protein
associates with an activated receptor,
the GDP bound to the alpha subunit is
replaced by GTP.

B. The GDP bound to the alpha subunit is

replaced by GTP, leading to separation of
the alpha subunit from the beta and y
subunits.

Activated adenylyl cyclase converts ATP

C. into the second messenger cAMP, which in
turn activates protein kinase A.

D. Activated protein kinase A

phosphorylates proteins in the heart
muscle causing heart rate to increase.

2. Define the term “hormone” and explain the effect hormones can have on the body.

A hormone is a chemical signal that influences physiology and development in both plants and animals. In
animals hormones are released into the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body. Hormones are released
into the blood stream and act on cells that bind the hormone. Depending on the type of hormone, it will have
a different reaction.

3. Define the terms “negative feedback” and “positive feedback” and explain how they are different. You may find it
helpful to compare Figures 37.4 and 37.6 in your textbook. Which of these typically contributes to homeostasis?

Negative feedback mechanisms return a system to a set point. Positive feedback mechanisms amplify a response. Negative
feedback typically contributes to homeostasis since a stimulus acts on a sensor that communicates with an effector. This
effector produces a response that opposes the initial stimulus.
4. Imagine you are trying to explain the role of hormones in maintaining homeostasis to a friend who is also taking
LS7C. You show them the figure below and explain it to them. In your explanation, be sure to explain what the plus
(+) and minus (-) signs represent and to define the terms stimulus, sensor, effector, and response and any other
terms you think your friend would not already know.
After we first receive a stimulus, we have
things in our body that sense it and trigger
a bodily response to both receive that
signal and change the signal so that our
body can process it, meanwhile maintaining
homeostasis. In the pictures, after we
receive a stimulus, we see how going down,
this stimulus stimulates our body, causing
the +, because it makes our body act outside
of homeostasis to respond. After our
stimulus is received by the sensor and
affected, it will react. This is what we
call the effector. As a response to all
these bodily things, after fulfilling what
it needs, the effector part, the ending
response is the dire need to return the body
to normal. Thus there is a negative sign
coming from the response to the sensor. It
represents the negative feedback loop.

5. Complete the table below to summarize the different kinds of hormones. You may find it helpful to refer to Figures
37.7 and 37.8 in your textbook.
Would you expect this type of hormone to
Type of Hormone Chemical properties of this type of hormone
bind cell-surface or intracellular receptors?
Peptide hormones are hydrophilic. It binds to cell-
membrane receptors activating second messenger
We expect it to bind cell-
pathways that change the metabolic state or can
surface; a cell-surface
Peptide affect gene expression of the target cell. Examples
receptor.
include oxytocin and ADN. Both are released by the
posterior pituitary gland and share a similar
structure, only differing by 2 amino acids.

Amine hormones are hydrophilic. Pretty

much the same to amine, tt binds to cell- We expect it to bind cell-
membrane receptors activating second surface; a cell-surface
Amine messenger pathways that change the receptor.
metabolic state or can affect gene
expression of the target cell. It is
derived from aromatic amino acides.

Steroid hormones are hydrophobic and diffuse

into the target cell. Here they bind to a
cytoplasmic or nuclear receptor that allows them
Steroid to act as transcription factors to alter the
gene expression of the cell. All hormones share
We expect it to bind to
intracellular receptors
a similar structure and are derived from
cholesterol.

6. Illustrate an endocrine pathway, such as parathyroid gland regulation of blood calcium levels, that maintains
homeostasis of a bodily function by means of negative feedback. Be sure to identify the stimulus, sensor, effector,
and response.
High levels of calcium Falling/low levels of
stimulus
levels in blood calcium levels in blood
means +

sensor thyroid gland parathyroid gland

calcitonin parathyroid hormone

increased
means - effector increased increased calcitriol
calcium
excretion reabsorption production
desposition calcium
of calcium of calcium causes Ca2+
in bone released
by kidneys by the absorption
from bone
kidneys from digestive
system
calcium
imbalance
homeostasis
response of calcium
of normal
levels
blood