Ch 29: The Immune & Endocrine Systems: Homeschool Curriculum
About This Chapter
Who's it for?
This unit of our High School Biology Homeschool course will benefit any student who is trying to learn about the structure and function of the immune and endocrine systems. There is no faster or easier way to learn about the immune and endocrine systems. Among those who would benefit are:
- Students who require an efficient, self-paced course of study to learn about homeostasis, innate and acquired immunity, the virulence of pathogens, and the process of immune system invasion.
- Homeschool parents looking to spend less time preparing lessons and more time teaching.
- Homeschool parents who need a biology curriculum that appeals to multiple learning types (visual or auditory).
- Gifted students and students with learning differences.
How it works:
- Students watch a short, fun video lesson that covers a specific unit topic.
- Students and parents can refer to the video transcripts to reinforce learning.
- Short quizzes and an immune and endocrine systems unit exam confirm understanding or identify any topics that require review.
The Immune & Endocrine Systems Unit Objectives:
- Explain how humans regulate their body temperature and maintain homeostasis.
- Study how the body regulates blood glucose levels with hormones; discuss how people with diabetes can maintain homeostasis.
- Describe the functions of the nervous system.
- Explore the structure and function of neurons.
- Explain the difference between the central and peripheral nervous systems.
- Discuss how the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems work together.
- List brain structures, and describe the function of each.
- Describe the structures and functions of the cerebral cortex.
- Study innate immunity, including inflammation, neutrophils, and natural killer cells.
- Describe acquired immunity, including T cells, B cells, and antibodies.
- Examine how antibodies and vaccines work.
- Understand how some viruses evade the human immune systems, such as HIV and influenza.
- Discuss pathogens within the context of antibiotic resistance and virulence.

1. Homeostasis and Temperature Regulation in Humans
Do you wonder how your body is able to maintain a consistent temperature? Have you ever questioned why you get goosebumps when you're cold? This lesson will introduce you to homeostasis and answer your questions about body temperature regulation and reactions, like goosebumps.

2. Homeostasis of Glucose Levels: Hormonal Control and Diabetes
In this lesson, we'll look at how the body uses hormones to maintain homeostasis of blood glucose levels, what happens in people who have diabetes, and how diabetics can manage their disease.

3. Functions of the Nervous System
In this lesson, we'll watch Timmy as he plays in his backyard. Watch what happens when he tries to catch a butterfly, hears a mean dog bark, and scrapes his knee. All of Timmy's reactions are tied to his nervous system. For a full explanation of what goes on in the human nervous system, check out the video!

4. The Structure and Function of Neurons
In this video lesson, you'll learn about neurons, which are specialized cells in the nervous system. Check out how far neurons can send signals throughout the body and how depolarization is much like 'the wave' at a football game.

5. The Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems
Did you know that hammerhead sharks and platypuses share a special type of sensory neuron that humans and most other animals don't have? In this lesson, you'll find out what that sensory neuron and a whole lot of others can do. You'll also learn how the nervous system is organized and the differences between the central and peripheral nervous systems.

6. The Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous Systems
In this lesson, you'll learn about two subdivisions of the autonomic nervous system - the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Watch as a hiker, Phil, runs away from a terrifying bear and see how these systems react to the impending danger!

7. Brain Structures and Functions Part I
The brain's complexity can often be difficult to understand because it serves so many important functions. In this lesson, you'll get a little help from Nrr, the alien biologist, who will guide you through understanding the structure and functions of the human brain.

8. The Cerebral Cortex: Brain Structures and Functions Part II
Check out this video lesson to learn about the four lobes of the human brain - the frontal, parietal, occipital and temporal. You'll learn about the functions and processes of each region.

9. Innate Immunity: Inflammation, Neutrophils & Natural Killer Cells
You might already know how your body handles known infectious agents but how about unknown? Watch this video to explore your innate immune system - your body's defense against new bacteria and viruses.

10. Acquired Immunity: T Cells, B Cells and Antibodies
Have you ever wondered why some people don't ever seem to get sick? These people likely have an acquired immunity. Learn more about the immune system and how exposure to an illness one time can help your body to prevent that illness from ever occurring again.

11. Antibiotics and Vaccines
Do you know why children must get regularly vaccinated? Have you ever wondered how an antibiotic works and why they are so widely prescribed? If so, this lesson will help you to understand how changes in medicine have almost eliminated several deadly diseases and added decades to the average person's lifespan.

12. Pathogens: Antibiotic Resistance and Virulence
Find out more about how the overuse of antibiotics could lead to some serious problems with epidemics or untreatable diseases in the future. You can also discover some of the things that make pathogens harmful and why pathogens don't cause disease in every species they infect.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the High School Biology: Homeschool Curriculum course
- Science Vocabulary & Basics: Homeschool Currilum
- Science Lab Skills: Homeschool Curriculum
- Inorganic Chemistry Review: Homeschool Curriculum
- Organic Chemistry Introduction: Homeschool Curriculum
- Functions & Reactions of Enzymes: Homeschool Curriculum
- Cell Biology: Homeschool Curriculum
- Requirements of Biological Systems: Homeschool Curriculum
- Cell Communication: Homeschool Curriculum
- Metabolic Biochemistry: Homeschool Curriculum
- Cell Division: Homeschool Curriculum
- Nucleic Acids: Homeschool Curriculum
- DNA Replication: Homeschool Curriculum
- Transcription & Translation: Homeschool Curriculum
- Principles of Heredity: Homeschool Curriculum
- Genetic Mutations: Homeschool Curriculum
- DNA Technology & Genomics: Homeschool Curriculum
- Bacterial Biology: Homeschool Curriculum
- Introduction to Viruses: Homeschool Curriculum
- The Origin of the Universe: Homeschool Curriculum
- Geologic Time: Homeschool Curriculum
- Evolution Overview: Homeschool Curriculum
- The Classification of Organisms: Homeschool Curriculum
- Plant Biology: Homeschool Curriculum
- Plant Reproduction & Growth: Homeschool Curriculum
- Introduction to Fungi: Homeschool Curriculum
- Introduction to Invertebrates: Homeschool Curriculum
- Introduction to Vertebrates: Homeschool Curriculum
- The Circulatory & Respiratory Systems: Homeschool Curriculum
- Animal Reproduction & Development: Homeschool Curriculum
- Human Reproductive Systems: Homeschool Curriculum
- Ecology & the Environment: Homeschool Curriculum
- The Environmental Impact of Humans: Homeschool Curriculum
- Animal Behavior: Homeschool Curriculum
- Molecular Biology Lab Techniques: Homeschool Curriculum
- Analyzing Scientific Data: Homeschool Curriculum