Biology lab 4 | Biology homework help


Order a Similar Paper HERE Order a Different Paper HERE

In this lab, you will observe diagrams that show the major components of the endocrine, circulatory, and respiratory systems. Using the textbook and virtual library resources, fill in the tables.

Explore Endocrine, Circulatory, and Respiratory Systems Lab

Using the M.U.S.E. link, review the background information and animation to complete your report. There are 2 parts to this lab on human body systems.

Use the following worksheets to complete your assignment:

Human body systems have a variety of interconnectivity. This lab will explore the functions and structures of the endocrine, circulatory (cardiovascular), and respiratory systems. The lab will also examine the interdependency of the body systems.

Your lab report will consist of the completed tables and related questions.


Table 1 – Endocrine System Hormones



Name of the Organ

FunctionHormone(s) Produced or Secreted


Parathyroid Glands

Parathyroid hormone


Thyroid Gland

Thyroxine, calcitonin


Pineal Gland




Produces ADH and oxytocin, regulatory hormones for the anterior pituitary.

Produces and secretes TRH, Dopamine, GHRH, Somatostatin, Gonadotropin.


Pituitary Gland

Anterior: Produces and secretes ACTH, TSH, GH, FSH, LH, MSH

Posterior: Secretes Oxytocin and ADH






Atrial natriuretic peptide, brain natriuretic peptide



Ghrelin, Gastrin, Histamine, Neuropeptide Y, Endothelin



Erythropoietin, Renin, Calcitriol


Small Intestine



Secretin, cholecystokinin 



Insulin-like Growth factor 1 (IGF-1), Angiotensinogen, Thrombopoietin


Adrenal Glands


Medulla: epinephrine, norepinephrine.

Cortex: glucocorticoids (cortisol), aldosterone, testosterone




Insulin, glucagon



Androgens, testosterone 



Prolactin and Relaxin, when pregnant



Estrogens, progesterone




Table 2 – Circulatory (Cardiovascular) System Functions



Name of the Structure

Major Function


Carotid arteries

Delivers blood to the head and brain


Jugular veins

Carries blood from the head to the heart


Superior vena cava

Carries blood from the upper body back to heart


Pulmonary veins

Carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart



Delivers blood to the body tissue


Pulmonary arteries

Delivers oxygen-poor blood to the lungs


Coronary arteries

Delivers blood to the heart muscle cells


Inferior vena cava

Carries blood from the lower body back to heart


Renal vein

Carries blood from the kidney to the heart


Iliac vein

Delivers blood from the pelvic organs and abdominal wall to the heart


Radial vein

Carries blood from the hand to the heart


Renal artery

Delivers blood to the kidneys


Iliac artery

Delivers blood to the pelvic organs and abdominal wall


Radial artery

Delivers blood to the hands


Femoral vein

Carries blood from the thigh and inner knee to the heart


Femoral artery

Delivers blood from the thigh and inner knee




Table 3 – Respiratory System Functions



Name of the Organ or Structure

Major Function



Cavities in skull; lightens head, warms and moistens air


Nasal cavity

Produces mucus; filters, warms and moistens air; olfcation



Passageway for air and food



Covers larynx during swallowing



Air passageway; prevents food and drink from entering lower respiratory system, produces voice



Contains alveoli and air passageways, allows exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between atmosphere and blood



Connects larynx with bronchi leading to lungs, conducts air to and from bronchi



Two branches of trachea that conduct air from trachea to lungs



Narrow passageways to conduct air from bronchi to alveoli 



Microscopic chambers for gas exchange 


Intercostal muscles

Move ribs during breathing



Muscle sheet between chest and abdominal cavities with a role in breathing

End of Activity


Audesirk, T., Audesirk, G., & Byers, B. E. (2008). Biology with physiology: Life on earth. (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Marieb, E. N. (2011). Essentials of human anatomy and physiology. (10th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Benjamin Cummings

Tortora, G. J., & Derrickson, B. H. (2008). Principles of anatomy and physiology. (12th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.




LAB PART 2!!!!

Endocrine System

The endocrine system is comprised of glands that produce chemical messengers. These messengers are called hormones. The glands include the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid gland, thymus, and adrenal gland. In addition, the pancreas, ovaries, and testes contain endocrine tissues and secrete hormones.

Question 1: How does the insulin and glucagon secreted by the pancreas function in glucose metabolism?

Answer 1: Insulin and glucagon work together to keep glucose levels in the blood within the normal range. When there is an elevated blood glucose level, this stimulates beta cells in the pancreas to secrete insulin. The insulin facilitates the uptake of glucose by body cells, and the liver will uptake the glucose and store it as glycogen. These actions return blood glucose levels back to normal. When there is decreased blood glucose, this stimulates the alpha cells in the pancreas to produce glucagon. The glucagon travels to the liver and facilitates the conversion of glycogen to glucose. This glucose is released in the bloodstream to return levels back to normal.

Cardiovascular System

The cardiovascular system is composed of the heart, blood vessels (arteries, veins, and capillaries), and blood. The heart is the pump that contracts to move the blood. The blood vessels transport blood throughout the body. The blood is the fluid that contains cells, nutrients, and gases.

Blood flows through the body in two distinct pathways: the pulmonary pathway and the systemic pathway. The blood flowing in the pulmonary pathway is deoxygenated and it delivers this blood to the lungs to be oxygenated again. The blood flowing in the systemic pathway leaves the lungs full of oxygen and flows through the heart to be delivered to the body tissues.

The following activity demonstrates the correct order for the pulmonary and systemic circulation as you trace a drop of blood flow through the body:

Pulmonary Circulation

Systemic Circulation

1.      Venules

1.      Pulmonary veins

2.      Veins

2.      Left atrium

3.      Vena cava

3.      Left ventricle

4.      Right atrium

4.      Aorta

5.      Right ventricle

5.      Arteries

6.      Pulmonary arteries

6.      Arterioles

7.      Lung

7.      Capillaries

Respiratory System

The respiratory system functions to supply the body with oxygen. People inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. This facilitates the delivery of oxygenated blood to all of the body cells.

Question 2: How do the cardiovascular and respiratory system work together to deliver blood to the body tissues?

Answer 2: The respiratory system functions in the exchange of gases with the outside environment. Oxygen is inhaled through the nasal cavity or the mouth, and it travels to the alveoli in the lungs. There, the capillaries exchange the oxygen for carbon dioxide. The oxygenated blood flows back to the heart from the lungs. It enters the left side of the heart and is delivered to all the body tissues via the aorta. In the capillaries of the body tissues, oxygen is exchanged for carbon dioxide. This deoxygenated blood flows back to the right side of the heart and then to the lung. In the capillaries that run across the alveoli, carbon dioxide is exchanged for oxygen that has recently been inhaled. The carbon dioxide will then be exhaled through the mouth and nasal cavity.

Exercise Activity

Exercising is an activity that requires the actions of multiple body organ systems. Each system performs its specific tasks, but they must work together to allow effective total body functioning during exercising.

In this activity, changes in the respiratory and heart rates in response to exercise will be recorded in the following table:


Breathing Rate: bpm(breaths per minute)

Pulse Rate: bpm (beats per minute)

At rest

16 bpm

70 bpm

During exercising

30 bpm

135 bpm

Immediately after exercising

30 bpm

105 bpm

5 minutes after exercising

25 bpm

90 bpm

Question 3: The body experiences some stressor such as exercise, fright, or emotional stress whether it be joy or sorrow. There are certain hormones like epinephrine and norepinephrine that are produced during these stressful events. These hormones are produced by the adrenal gland, and they will have an effect on the heart rate and breathing rate. Explain how the hormones produced by the adrenal could play a role in altering the respiratory and heart rates during exercise.

Answer 3: When this occurs, the hypothalamus receives signals about the stress response. The body produces stress hormones. Norepinephrine and Epinephrine are released into the blood from an endocrine gland known as the adrenal gland. These hormones lead to an increase in carbon dioxide, which leads to an increase in respiratory rate. Epinephrine also increases the frequency of heartbeats whereas norepinephrine causes blood vessels to constrict. Both of these events increase the heart rate, the force of individual heart contraction, and the amount of blood flow to the muscles. These prepare the body to react to the stressor that has occurred.