Individual Assignment: Endocrine System Hormone Identification

This assignment will challenge students to identify various endocrine hormones, understand their functions, and relate them to specific endocrine glands. The assignment will be completed individually and submitted within a one-day timeframe.

Part 1: Hormone Identification and Function (70%)

Students will be provided with a list of 20 endocrine hormones (a sample list is provided below, but instructors should tailor this to their specific curriculum). For each hormone, students must:

1. Identify the endocrine gland that produces the hormone.
2. Describe the hormone's primary function(s) in detail, including its mechanism of action (if applicable and within the scope of the course). This should go beyond a simple one-sentence description; students should demonstrate a thorough understanding of the hormone's role in maintaining homeostasis.
3. List at least two target organs or tissues affected by the hormone and explain the effects on those targets.
4. Describe a common clinical condition associated with either hyposecretion (underproduction) or hypersecretion (overproduction) of the hormone. This should include symptoms and potential treatments.

Sample Hormone List (Expand or modify as needed):

• Insulin
• Glucagon
• Cortisol
• Aldosterone
• Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
• Oxytocin
• Thyroid Hormone (T3 and T4)
• Calcitonin
• Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)
• Melatonin
• Growth Hormone (GH)
• Prolactin
• Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
• Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
• Adrenaline (Epinephrine)
• Noradrenaline (Norepinephrine)
• Testosterone
• Estrogen
• Progesterone
• Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)

Part 2: Case Study Analysis (30%)

Students will analyze a short case study describing a patient presenting with endocrine-related symptoms. The case study will not explicitly state the diagnosis. Students must:

1. Identify the likely endocrine disorder based on the presented symptoms.
2. Explain the rationale for their diagnosis, referencing specific hormone imbalances and their effects on the body.
3. Suggest appropriate diagnostic tests that could confirm their diagnosis.
4. Outline a potential treatment plan, including medication, lifestyle modifications, or other interventions.

Grading Rubric:

The assignment will be graded based on accuracy, completeness, clarity of explanations, and proper use of medical terminology. A detailed rubric outlining specific grading criteria for each part of the assignment should be provided to students beforehand.

Submission:

Students will submit their completed assignment electronically (e.g., through a learning management system) as a single document. The document should be well-organized, clearly formatted, and free of grammatical errors.

This detailed assignment allows for a comprehensive assessment of students' understanding of endocrine hormones and their clinical relevance within a one-day timeframe. The combination of hormone identification and case study analysis promotes critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Remember to adjust the number of hormones and the complexity of the case study to match the students' level of understanding and the course's learning objectives.