CLO 4 : Identify and describe the major gross and microscopic anatomical components of the eye and ear and explain their functional roles in vision, hearing, and equilibrium. Students should also be able to identify and locate the receptors responsible for olfaction and gustation and briefly describe the physiology of smell and taste.
Discussion Questions:
- The nervous system is critical for maintaining homeostasis through its roles in communication, control, and integration. In your initial post, discuss the major gross and microscopic nervous system anatomy involved in regulating homeostasis, including:
- CNS (brain, spinal cord)
- PNS (sensory, motor, autonomic nerves)
- Neurons (dendrites, axon, myelin sheath)
- Synapses, neurotransmitters
You could do any of the follwing: Select a homeostatic process like thermoregulation, blood pressure regulation, etc. OR Explain how the nervous system’s anatomical structures facilitate communication between the sensors that detect changes and the effectors that respond to restore homeostasis.
- You can consider comparing and contrasting the roles of the CNS and PNS in maintaining homeostasis through neural communication and control.
This discussion encourages you to relate nervous system anatomy to homeostatic regulation.
OR you can discuss the Endocrine System.
CLO 5 : Identify and describe the major gross and microscopic anatomical components of the endocrine system and explain the functional roles of their respective hormones in communication, control, and integration.
Discussion Questions:
The endocrine system plays an essential role in maintaining homeostasis through hormone secretion. In your initial post, select two major endocrine glands and discuss their gross and microscopic anatomy, including:
- Hypothalamus and pituitary gross/microscopic anatomy
- Thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pancreas, ovaries/testes gross/microscopic anatomy
For each gland, explain how their anatomical structures facilitate the secretion of hormones that help regulate homeostasis. Provide specific examples of how the hormones communicate signals and exert control to maintain equilibrium.
You could compare and contrast the homeostatic roles of the hypothalamus/pituitary to the thyroid or adrenal glands. How are their mechanisms similar and different?
This discussion prompts you to relate endocrine anatomy to hormone secretion and homeostasis mechanisms.
