CENARIO #1 Sam’s loving and attentive parents were concerned that although he wa
ID: 3503528 • Letter: C
Question
CENARIO #1
Sam’s loving and attentive parents were concerned that although he was an active and bright little boy, Sam was not growing at anywhere near the same rate as other children his age. Family members on both sides were of at least normal height and many were taller than average.
Which brain structure and endocrine organ may be involved in Sam’s case?
SCENARIO #2
The friendship between Randall and his roommate began to deteriorate when Randall discovered that one of Marshall’s favorite pastimes was to play practical jokes on his friends. After a particularly distasteful prank, Marshall promised to be good and asked Randall to shake hands. However, Marshall had an electronic buzzer in his hand. Upon shaking Marshall’s hand, Randall jumped involuntarily much to his chagrin and Marshall’s delight. Randall packaged all of Marshall’s belongings and sent them to Nepal shortly thereafter.
What part of the central nervous system was responsible for Randall’s reflexive action?
SCENARIO #3
As a result of a strange turn of events involving a can of pork and beans, a three-hole paper punch, and a copy of The National Enquirer, Anthony received a blow to the head which caused him to be unable to see anything to the right of whatever he was looking at. An examination indicated that Anthony had suffered no eye damage.
Which lobe of which hemisphere of Anthony’s brain was most likely malfunctioning?
SCENARIO #4
Although Tran had lived in Nebraska for 27 years and considered himself an American, when he visited San Francisco’s ethnic neighborhoods while on vacation, the exotic aromas of Asian cuisine brought back powerful emotional memories of his childhood in Viet Nam.
Which part of his brain was most responsible for the connection of smell to emotion?
SCENARIO #5
One of the problems in Stan and Shirley’s relationship was that Shirley was a “night person” and Stan was a “morning person.” They wondered if love could overcome their daily biological rhythms.
Which brain structure was threatening Stan and Shirley’s future together?
Explanation / Answer
Answer.
Scenario 1.The Pituatary gland produces the Human Growth Hormone (HGF) which is responsible for promoting growth in childhood and adolescence. It also stimulates other glands (like the thyroid) to produce other hormones such as thyroxin- both T3 and TSH, which regulate the process of metabolism and cortisol secretions and is indirectly involved in increase in physical height. In Sam’s case, understimulation of the Pitauatry gland may be responsible for his stunted growth.