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Monday, May 2, 2011

Objective 11: Understand structure and function of the endocrine system in relation to growth and homeostasis

This another one of those objectives that I just can't figure out the right answer. I've been sitting here racking my brain to try to think of the right answer that could fulfill this objective and I keep coming to a road block. But I'm going to give it my best attempt. Okay, here it goes.

The endocrine system is an amazing system that interacts parallel to the nervous system to cordinate and intergrate the activity of body cells. The endocrine system uses hormones (chemical messengers), instead of the electrochemical impluses by neurons from the nervous system, and releases them into the blood. These chemical messengers travel to their "target" organs and effect them in certain ways. The endocrine system uses hormones along with negative and positive feedback mechanisms to maintain the bodies homeostasis.  The anterior pituitary gland of the endocrine system secretes growth hormone (GH), which causes most body cells to increase in size and divide. This hormone allows us to grow. I know I probably didn't get anywhere near close to the right answer, but to be honest I'm still a little lost when it comes to this objective. The Interactive Physiology site did help me understand the structure and function of the endocrine system and how it helps aid in our bodies homeostasis.

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