The objective of this project was to research two body systems and find out their functions and how they interact with each other. The functions my group and I chose were the endocrine and reproductive systems. The function of the endocrine system is to send hormone signals that regulate and allow some body functions. The reproductive system's function is to produce offspring. They are also very closely linked. The endocrine system sends hormones that allow the reproductive system to properly function. For this project, we made a Google Slides presentation about our two systems and a physical model that shows how each system functions seperately and how they function together.. A PDF of the Slides presentation and a picture of the model are included below
Content
Endocrine system- The collection of glands that secrete hormones into the circulatory system to be carried towards target organs
Reproductive system- The system of organs and parts that function in reproduction
Hormone- a regulatory substance produced in an organism and transported in blood to stimulate specific cells or tissues into action (represented by the different balls rolling through our model)
Hypothalamus- Produces and stores hormones for the pituitary gland and controls its releases (used in our model as cardboard pieces that held back the balls that represented hormones)
Pituitary gland- Releases hgormones that control other parts of the endocrine system (represented in our model by a board that the hormone balls rolled down)
Pineal gland- Releases melatonin to regulate sleep and mood (represented by one of the hormone balls/tubes)
Thyroid- Controls the rate that the body produces energy from nutrients (not used in our model)
Parathyroid- Controls the level of calcium in the blood (not used in our model)
Thymus- Develops T-cells (represented by one of the hormone balls/tubes)
Adrenal gland- Helps the body react to stressors and control blood pressure (not used in our model)
Pancreas- Produces and secretes insulin (not used in our model)
Uterus- The egg is either fertilized here or released during menstruation (represented by the box covered by a towel)
Ovaries- Secrete hormones, hold on to eggs (represented by a hormone ball and a tube that leads to the uterus box)
Vagina- A muscular cana between the womb and the genitals (not in our model)
Fallopian tubes- Carry the egg from the ovary to the womb (represented by the clear tube that leads from the ovary tube to the uterus)
Penis- The male genitals (not in our model)
Testes- Make sperm and sex hormons (not in our model)
Epidydimis- Collects and stores sperm (not in our model)
Endocrine system- The collection of glands that secrete hormones into the circulatory system to be carried towards target organs
Reproductive system- The system of organs and parts that function in reproduction
Hormone- a regulatory substance produced in an organism and transported in blood to stimulate specific cells or tissues into action (represented by the different balls rolling through our model)
Hypothalamus- Produces and stores hormones for the pituitary gland and controls its releases (used in our model as cardboard pieces that held back the balls that represented hormones)
Pituitary gland- Releases hgormones that control other parts of the endocrine system (represented in our model by a board that the hormone balls rolled down)
Pineal gland- Releases melatonin to regulate sleep and mood (represented by one of the hormone balls/tubes)
Thyroid- Controls the rate that the body produces energy from nutrients (not used in our model)
Parathyroid- Controls the level of calcium in the blood (not used in our model)
Thymus- Develops T-cells (represented by one of the hormone balls/tubes)
Adrenal gland- Helps the body react to stressors and control blood pressure (not used in our model)
Pancreas- Produces and secretes insulin (not used in our model)
Uterus- The egg is either fertilized here or released during menstruation (represented by the box covered by a towel)
Ovaries- Secrete hormones, hold on to eggs (represented by a hormone ball and a tube that leads to the uterus box)
Vagina- A muscular cana between the womb and the genitals (not in our model)
Fallopian tubes- Carry the egg from the ovary to the womb (represented by the clear tube that leads from the ovary tube to the uterus)
Penis- The male genitals (not in our model)
Testes- Make sperm and sex hormons (not in our model)
Epidydimis- Collects and stores sperm (not in our model)
There were several things that went well during this project and also several things that could be improved upon. One thing that went very well was the planning of our model. We picked our body systems last, so we were left with the last two remaining. This led to some apprehension about what we would do with the two systems, but we ended up having a very detailed plan within half an hour. We only had to make small changes to the plan in our actual building of the model. Another thing that went quite well was our research. Before we started this project, we didn't really know what the endocrine system was and had no idea how the two systems work together. However, we became basically experts on the two systems through our research. One thing that didn't go too well was our team chemistry. There was one group member who would try to take over what other members were doing, especially with the girls in the group when we were using power tools. We also had some miscommunications during our presentation about who was presenting which slide. Another thing that didn't go very well was our time management. We spent most of the first build day gathering materials and cutting a hole in a board with a jigsaw. This put us behind schedule, but we worked extra hard the next four days and finished the project on time. One thing I learned from this project was how to work hard and finish something quickly when it looks like there isn't enough time.