1. A student performs an experiment to test the effects of a special diet on the cholesterol content of chicken eggs. He obtained 20 chickens from two different breeders. Half of the chickens were fed the special diet, and half were fed a diet of standard chicken feed, purchased at a local feed store. The student found that cholesterol levels in the eggs from chickens fed the special diet were lower than the levels found in the eggs of the other group, and he concludes that his special diet should be marketed to farmers. Do you see any problems with this study? How would you improve the design?
2. If you were considering becoming a strict vegetarian, eating no animal products, even milk or eggs, how would you be assured of getting all of the amino acids your body needs? What specific dietary components (not vitamin supplements) would your body require?
3. Give two examples of negative feedback loops in the endocrine system: 1) a simple feedback mechanism, and 2) a more complex one that operates through the nervous system.
4. Why is the heart described as a double pump? Describe the general structure of arteries and veins. How are they similar? How are they different? How do arteries and veins (and the blood they carry) contribute to homeostasis?
5. The immune system in the human body consists of three lines of defense. What are they and how do they operate?
6. Explain the difference between active and passive immunity and give an example of each.
7. Your friend is thinking about using anabolic steroids to improve his gymnastics performance. He argues that he is young and will only be taking the drug for a year or so. What are three "pros" and three "cons" associated with using steroids? What final advice would you give him based on your data?