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STANDARDS:
The following standards may be addressed by using the podcast in conjunction with
the information provided in the Teachers Guide:
NGSS:
HS-LS1-1.
HS-LS1-2.
BACKGROUND:
This is a story to help get students excited about science, involving a veterinary
student and an equine medical emergency.
The Bodys Fight or Flight Response
When the human body senses a stressful or scary situation, it begins a cascade of
events that affects all body systems.
The brain first processes a threat through one of our five senses. In this case, it
involved the veterinary student hearing her instructors warning and seeing the
horse falling down. When the hypothalamus processes the threat, it sends a
message to the adrenal glands using ACTH through the sympathetic nervous system.
Adrenal glands are found at the dorsal aspect of the kidneys and are composed of
the adrenal medulla and adrenal cortex. The adrenal medulla receives the message
from the brain and releases two hormones; epinephrine and norepinephrine. These
hormones are both catecholamines and are also known as adrenaline.
Epinephrine and Norepinephrine are able to bind to surface proteins on organs and
cells throughout the body. These hormones affect each cell in a unique way.
Catecholamines effects on the following:
Heart: Increases heart rate and stroke volume which allows for oxygen and blood to
circulate quicker
Lungs: Increases respiration rate and causes bronchodilation which allows for more
oxygen to be carried throughout the body
Digestive Organs: Decreases digestion by vasoconstriction of the blood supply to
these organs allowing for the bodys energy to be used elsewhere.
Kidneys: Decreases kidney function by vasoconstriction of the blood supply
allowing for the bodys energy to be used elsewhere.
Liver: Increases the breakdown of glycogen to glucose allowing for more energy
sources for the bodys cells.
Muscle: Vasodilation to allow for oxygen and glucose to arrive and allow the
muscles extra strength.
ACADEMIC LANGUAGE: