Essay question A:
Clinical scenario: Homeostatic Imbalance in Blood Pressure (4pts)
dinird as year old woman decided she wotha het/a bilke/90a.paricubany/hokand suny day she
feeling lightheaded and had a rapid heartbeat.
Wailrestinated the amount of walenshfalted b crop -ad, the our balfway throughherty davine
unders anyarated. her blood valumertated to drop. ty the time Maria reunedto hera? Were. Using the information above, describe the situation in terms of homeostasis. Start with what variable is being sensed then describe the sensor/integrator/effector and negative feedback
Essay Question B:
Answer a. or b. below. (If you answer both, I will only grade the first one I see. I won’t look at the other.)
3pts
a. Your metabolism is low, and you want to bring it back up to homeostasis. Explain the endocrine pathway
of the thyroid gland to achieve this. Be sure to include all the endocrine glands, hormones, target cells and
effects, and negative feedback control. What could happen if there is a primary failure of the thyroid
gland?
b. Your plasma glucose levels are low. Describe the pathway of adrenal gland stimulation of cortisol to increase plasma glucose levels. Include the endocrine glands, hormones, target cells and effects, and the negative feedback control. What could happen if the adrenal cortex is over stimulated in this case?
Answer c. or d. below. Only answer one (4pts):
In class, we learned that not all control systems in the Endocrine System utilizes the hypothalamus as the
integrator. Please explain the negative feedback control of
c. Describe the endocrine function of the pancreas in regulating glucose levels.
or d. Describe how the Parathyroid glands control calcium levels.
Using the numbers on the graph above, answer the following questions:
a.The event happening at 1 on the graph is called: (dashed line)
b.Name of specific protein channel causing event 2:
C.The event happening at 3 on the graph is called:
d.The event happening at 4 on the graph is called
e.Explain refractory period: how does it occur and why is it important for APs to
move down an axon?
Benzocaine is an ingredient in a topical cream that is used to relieve pain and itching caused by conditions such as sunburn or insect bites. It works by blocking VG Na* channels. Provide a
possible explanation as to why it works (This is just about APs!!)
Essay Question D:
Clinical Scenario: Neurotoxin effect on neurotransmitter receptors (6pts)
Botulism is caused by a toxin produced by a bacterium, Clostridium botulinum. It attacks the body nerves by blocking Ach receptors on the postsynaptic membrane, causing muscle weakness and flaccid
paralysis (can’t contract muscles).
a. Based on these symptoms, is Ach an excitatory or inhibitory NT in this case?
b.Explain your answer to “a”. In other words, explain how this toxin is affecting the synapse to
determine why these symptoms are the result of the infection. (Note, you do not have to
explain a normal synapse for me here.)
Essay Question E:
Clinical Scenario: SSRIs are a widely used type of antidepressant medication. It works by blocking serotonin from being removed from the synaptic cleft. (3pts)
Given the following: The typical function: Serotonin is a natural neurotransmitter and whose effects makes a person feel like everything is OK! It’s responsible for the feeling of a “good mood”. Our neurons regulate the effects of NT’s, including serotonin, is to remove it from the cleft. One way to remove neurotransmitters is for the presynaptic cell to bring them back up into the presynaptic
terminal (where they came from). This process is called “reuptake” The issue: Some clinical depression is due to low serotonin levels.
SSRI stands for “selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor” Explain why an SSRI might help someone with depression feel better.
(Yes, I am challenging you on this one. But all the parts you need to know are here, so don’t give up! It is only worth 3 points, too, so just go for it!)