Overview
In the last two modules of BIO201, we learned about the nervous system. In this module, we explored how the cardiovascular system Helps in the transport of hormones produced by the endocrine system, in addition to getting glimpses of how other organ systems may have overlap with one or both systems.
This assignment will address the challenge put forward by Jake: How do the nervous and endocrine systems affect the cardiovascular system in similar or different ways?
Instructions
Imagine if you were walking along the beach and cut the bottom of your foot open from a sharp piece of beach debris. Prepare a written paper of at least 1000 words that includes the following:
Discuss components of blood that participate in wound healing and discuss their roles in the wound healing process.
Using specific examples, compare the process by which a hormone and a neurotransmitter will be secreted in response to this accident.
Examine the action of a neurotransmitter compared to that of a hormone on the physiology of the heart and blood vessels as a result of sustaining this injury.
Your paper should be formatted as a proper research paper with an introduction and conclusion. Do not simply follow the bullet points above, but really think about what you have learned and how that relates to other material we have covered and knowledge you have from other courses you may have taken. The Research and Report assignments in this course are capstone assignments for each module. You should be integrating everything that you learned in the textbook, explorations, discussions, and lab activities into your papers.
All references must be cited using APA Style format. Please refer to the CCCOnline APA Citation Toolkit.
Use what you have learned from this module to complete the assignment. In some cases, you may need to conduct additional research. See the Grading and Assessment section in the Syllabus module for links to research databases in the CCCOnline Library.
Submit your paper to the Module 1 Assignment: Research and Report assignment folder.
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Sample Answer Guide:
Introduction:
When a person sustains a wound, such as a cut on the bottom of the foot from a pointy piece of beach debris, the body initiates a complex healing process to repair the damage and prevent infection. One key aspect of this process is the involvement of various elements of blood, including cells, plasma, and clotting factors, which play important roles in facilitating the healing process. In addition to the physical repair of the wound, the body also secretes hormones and neurotransmitters in response to the injury, which can affect the physiology of the heart and blood vessels. This paper will examine the roles of blood elements in wound healing, the secretion of hormones and neurotransmitters in response to the injury, and the impact of these hormones and neurotransmitters on the cardiovascular system.
A. Blood Elements in Wound Healing:
When a wound occurs, the body immediately initiates a series of events to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. One of the first responses is the activation of platelets, which form a clot at the site of the injury to stop the bleeding. Platelets also release various growth factors and other molecules that promote the migration and proliferation of cells involved in the healing process, including fibroblasts and endothelial cells.
In addition to platelets, red blood cells and white blood cells also play important roles in wound healing. Red blood cells carry oxygen and nutrients to the wound site, while white blood cells, particularly neutrophils and macrophages, help to remove debris and bacteria and promote inflammation, which is a necessary step in the healing process.
B. Secretion of Hormones and Neurotransmitters:
The injury also triggers the release of hormones and neurotransmitters in response to the injury. For example, the stress hormone cortisol is released in response to the injury, which can increase blood sugar levels and suppress the immune system, preparing the body for the fight or flight response. In addition, the body releases the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, which can increase heart rate and blood pressure, providing the body with more oxygen and nutrients to aid in the healing process.
C. Impact on the Cardiovascular System:
The secretion of these hormones and neurotransmitters in response to the injury can also have an impact on the cardiovascular system. For example, the increase in heart rate and blood pressure caused by the release of norepinephrine can help to increase blood flow to the wound site, providing the cells involved in the healing process with the oxygen and nutrients they need to repair the damage. However, if the injury is severe or if the response is prolonged, this increase in heart rate and blood pressure can also put stress on the heart and blood vessels, potentially leading to complications such as hypertension or cardiovascular disease.
Conclusion:
When a person sustains a wound such as a cut on the bottom of the foot from a pointy piece of beach debris, the body initiates a complex healing process to repair the damage and prevent infection. Blood elements such as platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells play important roles in the healing process. The injury also triggers the release of hormones and neurotransmitters in response to the injury, which can affect the physiology of the heart and blood vessels. Understanding the roles of these various elements in the wound healing process, and how they interact with the cardiovascular system can aid in the development of new treatments and therapies to improve wound healing and reduce the risk of complications.
References:
American College of Surgeons. (2019). Wound healing: An overview. Retrieved from https://www.facs.org/patient-info/wound-healing-overview
