Ch 16: The Nervous, Immune, and Endocrine Systems
About This Chapter
The Nervous, Immune, and Endocrine Systems - Chapter Summary
In this chapter, you'll review what you know about homeostasis, glucose, neurons, brain structures and immunity. You'll be covering a lot of material in this chapter, so utilize the quizzes at the end of each lesson to test your knowledge of the topics.
By the end of this chapter, you'll have examined:
- Homeostasis, temperature regulation and glucose levels
- Functions of the central, peripheral, sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
- Structures of neurons, the brain and cerebral cortex and their functions
- Innate and acquired immunity
- Pathogens, antibiotics and vaccines
Our instructors have developed the lessons to keep the studying experience inviting and efficient. Each lesson contains an engaging video to help exhibit the material. As mentioned before, you can take quizzes as you make your way through the chapter to apply what you've learned. If you need to review a particular portion of the lesson, utilize the timeline below the video to easily find the section you need.
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 STAAR Biology: Test Prep & Practice course
- Introduction to Organic Chemistry
- Intro to Cell Biology
- Prokaryotic & Eukaryotic Cells
- Virus Structure & Life Cycle
- How Enzymes Work
- Requirements of Biological Systems
- Cell Communication
- Basics of Metabolic Biochemistry
- Overview of Cell Division
- Basics of DNA & RNA
- Process of DNA Replication
- The Transcription and Translation Process
- Plant Biology
- Plant Reproduction and Growth
- Physiology I: The Circulatory, Respiratory, Digestive, Excretory, and Musculoskeletal Systems
- Animal Reproduction and Development
- Heredity and Genetics
- Gene Mutations
- DNA and Technology
- The Origin and History of Life On Earth
- The Theory of Evolution
- Natural and Artificial Selection
- Population Evolution
- Speciation
- Organism Classification & Phylogenesis
- Ecological Systems and the Environment
- Ecological Relationships and Species Populations
- Humans and the Environment
- Lab Safety Equipment and Procedures
- Methods of Scientific Research
- Analyzing and Interpreting Scientific Data
- Famous Biologists and Their Impact on Society
- About the STARR Tests
- STAAR Biology Flashcards