Download Researching Cell Communication

Researching Cell Communication
As you have learned, hormonal and neural communication is essential for normal body functioning in all
animals, including humans. Two examples of diseases in which cell-to cell communication is disrupted are
diabetes and multiple sclerosis (MS). Cellular communication can also be disrupted by environmental factors
such as drugs. Heroin and DDT are examples of chemicals that resemble normal neurotransmitters and
hormones, respectively. As a result, they disrupt the functioning of the brain and endocrine system.
The class will work in pairs, researching cell communication. You will choose to research a disease in which
normal cellular communication is disrupted. Or, you may instead research a drug that disrupts cell-to-cell
communication. (You may choose either animals or plants!)
The final presentation will be due on ________________. Each pair will present its research on a poster
board (to be put on display!) along with a short PowerPoint.
The following must be included in the poster:
• Name of disease or drug researched
• Description of disease or drug
• Symptoms associated with disease or drug
• How many people in the United States (and the world, if possible) are affected by the disease or drug
• Exactly how the disease or drug disrupts normal cell communication (A colorful and descriptive diagram will
be helpful here)
• Treatments
Your PowerPoint presentation is simply a way to assist you in your presentation of your research. Use mainly
diagrams and short phrases on your slides. Your slides will only be used to assist you in presenting to the
class. Do not read directly off of the PowerPoint.
The following are some website suggestions to help you begin your research. Do not limit yourself to the
information on these sites. It is best to use sites that are part of a medical community (such as a university or
medical school) or a large organization (such as the Multiple Sclerosis Association). Consult your teacher if
you are unsure of the information on a particular website.
• Neuroscience for Kids: Explore the Brain and Spinal Cord
http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/introb.html#di
• NIH (NIDDK): Endocrine and Metabolic Disease
http://www.endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/
• EndocrineWeb.com
http://www.endocrineweb.com/index.html
• e.hormone (Hosted by Tulane and Xavier Universities Center of Bioenvironmental Research)
http://e.hormone.tulane.edu/
• Canadian Environmental Corps: Endocrine Disrupting Substances in the Environment
http://shneck.com/1172076.html
This assignment will be assessed using Criterion B: Communication in Science.
Science NetLinks Student Sheet – Researching Cell Communication
All rights reserved. Science NetLinks Student Sheets may be reproduced for educational purposes.
Here is a list of possible topics
(but do not feel limited by this list):
Timetable:
Friday – Choose topic, assign roles
Hypothyroidism
Hyperthyroidism
Cocaine
Weekend – Work on assigned parts
Caffeine
Tuesday – Put together poster and
PowerPoint
Wednesday – Present to class
Cancer
Amphetamines
Acromegaly
Barbiturates
Addison's
Disease
Alcohol
Cushing's
Syndrome
LSD
CreutzfeldtJacob Disease
Nicotine
Alzheimer's
Disease
GHB
Epilepsy
Ecstasy
Autism
PCP
Lyme Disease
Rohypnol
DDT
PCB's
Science NetLinks Student Sheet – Researching Cell Communication
All rights reserved. Science NetLinks Student Sheets may be reproduced for educational purposes.