Chemical Coordination in Humans

Chemical Coordination in Humans

Introduction
In the army, orders or commands are passed from the generals to the serving soldiers, who carry out the commands to produce the desired results. Imagine what would happen to the soldiers at the battle field if the communication between the field commander and the fighting soldiers failed! Similarly, the body has organs and glands that secrete chemical messengers called hormones as commands that cause certain effects in specific regions of the body. This communication is through a ductless system known as Endocrine System. In this chapter, you will appreciate that there are organs in the body that secrete chemicals called hormones which play vital roles in coordinating body functions. You will understand how your lifestyle affects the hormones that influence growth and development in your body.

4.1: Meaning of Hormones and Enzymes
There are several metabolic processes that take place in the body and these are controlled by hormones. Enzymes on the other hand help to speed up chemical reactions. Hormones and enzymes have often been confused since they both control and regulate body functions. However, they are different
in terms of components, functions, glands that produce them, where they perform their roles, effect on metabolism and how they are affected by external factors.

In Activity 4.1, you will find out how hormones differ from enzymes.

Activity 4.1: Finding out the differences between hormones and enzymes
Do this activity in a pair.
Key question: What are the differences between hormones and enzymes?
What you need: Reference materials about hormones and enzymes, the Internet, a notebooks, a pen
What to do:
I. Using the Internet and reference materials, research and discuss the meaning of hormones and enzymes. Give examples of each.

2. Research and find outthedifferences between hormones and enzymes.
   Present your finds in a table below.

Discuss your findings with the rest of the class.
4.2: The Endocrine Glands
Endocrine glands make up the endocrine system. They are organs in which hormones are manufactured and released in the body. They are located in different parts of the body. In Activity 4.2, you will locate them and note the hormones that each gland secretes.
Activity 4.2: Locating endocrine glands in the body
Do this activity in a group.
Key question: Where in body are the endocrine glands located?
What you need: Reference materials about endocrine glands, the Internet,
manila papers, cards indicating the names of the glands

1. Research from reference materials or the Internet about the glands of the endocrine system, their location in the body and the hormones that each gland produces. Record your findings in the table below.

Design a model of the figure below using locally available materials. Alternatively, you may redraw it on a manila paper and label it.

3. You have been provided with cards with names of glands. Attach the cards onto the correct label line on your model/drawing in 2) above.
   Present your model/drawing to the rest of the class.
   4.3: Effects of Various Hormones in the Human Body
   Different hormones perform different functions in the body. In Activity 4.3, You will understand the role/effects of hormones in the human body. You will further find out their role in the regulation of reproductive and sexual functioning in adolescent boys and girls particularly the development of
   secondary sexual characteristics.

Activity 4.3: Discussing the role of hormones in the human body Do this activity in a group
Key question: What is the role of hormones in the body?
What you need: Reference materials about roles of hormones in the human body, the Internet, a notebook, a pen
What to do:

1. Research and discuss the functions and effects of the hormones in the human body. Present your findings and conclusions in the table below.

2. What secondary sexual characteristics occur in boys and girls? What hormones do you think cause them?
3. Discuss the role of hormones in the regulation of reproductive and sexual functioning particularly the development of secondary sexual
4. characteristics in:
   i) Adolescent boys
   ii) Adolescent girls
5. As a class, discuss the effects which hormones have on your feelings and behavior.

4.4: Hormonal Disorders and Diseases
For the human body to function normally, there has to be a balance of hormones. Hormonal disorders disrupt the normal functioning of the body and sometimes cause diseases.
In this section, you will know and describe the causes and symptoms of common hormonal disorders/diseases such as diabetes, goitre and osteoporosis in humans.
Diabetes
After digestion, our bodies absorb the “life fuel” glucose into the blood stream to nourish the cells in our bodies. However, the glucose level in the blood should not exceed or go below the normal as this may cause diabetes. In Activity 4.4, you will discuss the causes and symptoms of diabetes.

Activity 4.4: Interviewing a health worker about the causes and symptoms of diabetes
Do this activity in a group.
Key question: What are the causes and symptoms of diabetes?
What you need: A resource person, a questionnaire, a notebook and a pen
What to do:

1. Identify a health worker in your community and interview him or her about;
   i) How diabetes comes about in humans.
   ii) Symptoms of diabetes.
   iii) How diabetes can be detected.
   iv) Prevention of diabetes.
   v) How to care for a diabetic patient.
2. Research and develop a one-day meal plan for a person suffering from diabetes.
   present your findings in (i) on a chart and pin it the class.

Goitre
Have you ever seen a person suffering from goitre? What main sign did you see on him or her? Goitre is
an abnormal enlargement of a thyroid gland. See

Fig 4.1 In Activity 4.5, you will research and find out the causes, symptoms and preventive measures of goitre.
Fig 4.1: goitre
Activity 4.5: Understanding the causes, symptoms and preventive measures of Goitre.
Do this activity in a group
Key question: What are the causes and symptoms of goiter?
What you need: Reference materials about goitre, the Internet, a notebook a pen
What to do:

1. Using reference materials orthe Internet research about the;
   i) Causes of goitre.
   ii) Symptoms of goiter. Give an explanation for some of the symptoms
   iii) Preventive measures against goitre.
   iv) Treatment of goitre.
   Present your findings on a chart and pin it in the class.

Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition caused by hormonal disorders where the bones become weak and brittle. In Activity 4.6, You will understand the condition and establish the causes, symptoms and the preventive measures.

Activity 4.6: Understanding the causes, symptoms and preventive measures of osteoporosis
Do this activity in a group.
Key question: What are the causes and symptoms of osteoporosis?
What you need: Reference materials about osteoporosis, the Internet, a notebook and a pen
What to do:

1. Using reference materials or the Internet research about:
   i) Causes of osteoporosis.
   ii) Symptoms of osteoporosis.
   iii) Preventive measures against osteoporosis.
   iv) Care for a person with osteoporosis.
   Present your findings on a chart and pin it in the class.
   •Self study:
   Besides diabetes, goitre and osteoporosis, find out other diseases and disorders that are associated with hormonal imbalance.
   4.5 Role of Diet in Managing Hormonal Disorders/Diseases

Since hormones are manufactured by body cells, the raw materials for their manufacture is largely dependent on the diet humans consume. The components of some foods in our diet boost the production of some hormones while some components hinder their production. For many hormonal disorders, altering one’s diet to either boost or hinder hormonal production usually contributes to checking their effects. In Activity 4.7, you will explore and appreciate the role of diet in managing nal disorders/diseases in humans.

Activity 4.7: Exploring the role of diet in managing hormonal disorders
Do this activity in a group
Key question: How can diet be used to manage hormonal disorders?
What you need: Reference materials about diet for hormonal imbalance,
Internet a notebook, a pen
What to do:

1. Using the Internet or reference materials, research and find out which foods are recommended and foods that are discouraged in the following hormonal disorders, diabetes, goitre, osteoporosis. Present your findings in the table below.

2. Discuss other lifestyle ways that can help in preventing and managing hormonal imbalances.
3. Using the knowledge of the balanced diet you acquired in primary science and the knowledge got from this chapter, design a menu that should be followed to prevent a particular hormonal disorder.
   Compare your findings with those of other groups and produce a chart to pin in your dinning place.

In this chapter, you have learnt that:

1. Hormones control the several metabolic processes that take place in the body and enzymes speed up chemical reactions
2. The endocrine system is made up of glands where hormones are manufactured and released in the body. The endocrine glands include, adrenal, thyroid, pituitary and parathyroid glands.
3. Different hormones perform different functions in the body and for the body to function properly, there has to be a balance of hormones. Hormonal imbalance is associated to diseases such as diabetes, goitre and osteoporosis
4. A proper diet plays a big role in managing hormonal disorders in humans.

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