Assignment Preview

Title: Hormones in Action

NOTE: This preview only displays saved data.

Assignment Goals
Source Material
Student Instructions
Guiding Questions
Writing Prompt
Calibrations, Average Word Count, and Answer Keys

Assignment Goals

This activity has the following goals:

  1. Explain the similarities and differences between protein-like hormones and steroid hormones, and relate their effects on cells to psychosocial challenges.
  2. Promote effective reading for understanding and answering the Guiding Questions.
  3. Analyze a primary research article to arrive at valid conclusions about content in the text, and apply these conclusions in the real world.
  4. Learn how to organize an essay with an instructional model provided by the Guiding Questions and Writing Prompt.
  5. Learn how to think more clearly and creatively from evaluating the writing examples of peers.

Top

Source Material

Each student will study the following source material:

Top

Source Material Resources:
Glossary for Testosterone Research Article - This glossary provides a step-by-step explanation for the required research article on testosterone.
URL: http://cpr.molsci.ucla.edu/cpr/data/institutions/300010/001404400366/001604500552/perm/resources/res1/file/TESTGLOS.htm
Protein-like Hormone Function - This is a summary for the physiology of epinephrine, as an example for how water-soluble hormones affect the body.
URL: http://cpr.molsci.ucla.edu/cpr/data/institutions/300010/001404400366/001604500552/perm/resources/res2/file/HorWat.htm
Steroid Hormone Function - This is a summary for the physiology of testosterone, as an example for how fat-soluble hormones (steroids) affect the body.
URL: http://cpr.molsci.ucla.edu/cpr/data/institutions/300010/001404400366/001604500552/perm/resources/res3/file/HorFat.htm
Urban, R. J. et al. (1995) - This abstract from Medline, for a primary research article on testosterone, shows how both types of hormones above work together in muscle cells.
URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?uid=7491931&form=6&db=m&Dopt=b
Evaluating Essays - This page provides guidance for scoring the quality of essays in CPR.
URL: http://cpr.molsci.ucla.edu/cpr/data/institutions/300010/001404400366/001604500552/perm/resources/res6/file/ScoreCPR.htm

Top

Student Instructions

There are several tasks to complete.

  1. Study the Source Materials carefully.

  2. Answer all Guiding Questions and write your essay from the Writing Prompt.

  3. Submit your essay to the CPR site by the Text Entry Deadline at 0900 April 21. You will not be able to enter it after that time. Any student entering an essay and failing to complete the steps below will earn zero credit and lose 5 points for disrupting the CPR for the remaining students.

  4. Perform the calibration of the sample essays. Follow this with review of your peers’ essays and then your self-assessment. This part of the CPR is available at 0900 April 21, the Text Entry Deadline. However, you will not be able to do this unless you have submitted your essay, and it has been accepted by the program. This part of the CPR must be completed by 0900 April 24, the Assignment End Time.

Top

Guiding Questions

  1. How do protein-like and steroid hormones differ in location of their receptors in the cell. What principle for cell membranes and solubility of molecules explains this difference for both types of hormones?

  2. How do protein-like and steroid hormones differ in mechanism for their effects on cells?

  3. The binding of testosterone to its receptor inside muscle cells does not directly increase synthesis of proteins for contraction. How can administration of testosterone cause increased synthesis of contractile proteins inside muscle cells and, therefore, increase in muscle strength? [Hint: Insulin-like growth factor-1 or IGF-1 is a water-soluble hormone; the research article by Urban et al. (1995) details the process for you, together with its Glossary.]

  4. A knowledge claim is a conclusion supported by valid data. What is the main knowledge claim from the testosterone research study, stated as a conclusion by Urban et al. (1995)?

Top

Writing Prompt

Write a paragraph of 150-250 words on all aspects of testosterone function covered in the Guiding Questions, and apply this explanation to psychosocial challenges. Any quoted material in this essay earns zero credit; it must be entirely in your own words.

  1. Begin with the main knowledge claim from the testosterone research article, and acknowledge this article as the source of this knowledge.

  2. Explain the role of cell membranes in determining the difference in location of receptors for testosterone compared to IGF-1.

  3. Then, discuss the differences between testosterone and IGF-1 in their basic mechanisms for affecting a cell. Include in this discussion a summary for how testosterone ultimately promotes increase in muscle strength.

  4. Conclude the paragraph with three value claims based on the instructions below. Do not mention the "IGF-1 binding protein" studied in the research article. Acknowledge this article for any material you take from it to support your value claims.

    A value claim is a judgment for how beneficial something may be. For example, confirming that IGF-1 increases strength could give researchers a mechanism for improving strength in the elderly. Give a value claim (1) for testosterone administration in the elderly, and support it from the research article; (2) for the potential social value of giving testosterone to the elderly; and (3) for effectiveness and safety of testosterone versus old-fashioned exercise.

    Please be as creative as you desire for making these claims; the only "wrong" response here would be something totally unrealistic.

    Top

    Calibrations and Answer Keys

    Average Calibration Word Count = 180
    High Quality Calibration
    The main knowledge claim for the testosterone study was that increasing testosterone in elderly men increases muscle strength (Urban et al., 1995). Testosterone and another hormone, IGF-1, differ in many ways, but both hormones contribute to improving muscle strength. IGF-1 binds receptors on the cell surface, because it is a water-soluble, protein-like hormone that cannot diffuse across cell membranes. It must bind to a receptor on the outer cell membrane to affect a cell. Testosterone binds receptors that activate the gene for promoting synthesis of mRNA for IGF-1. This mRNA, in turn, codes for the synthesis of IGF-1. Once synthesized, IGF-1 is secreted out of the cell so it can bind receptors on the outer cell membrane. Messenger molecules activate processes inside muscle cells for synthesis of contractile proteins and increase in muscle strength. Some value claims for the testosterone study could be the following: (1) increasing testosterone could benefit the elderly, because research showed that it increases strength (Urban et al., 1995); (2) giving testosterone to the elderly could have the social value of enabling the elderly to do more strength-related tasks on their own, or to more effectively keep from falling and injuring themselves; and (3) testosterone may not be as effective or safe for increasing strength as exercise might be.

    1. Does the essay have mechanical errors (in spelling, grammar, punctuation)?
    None
    Some (1 or 2)
    Many (more than 2)
    Answer: None
    Feedback : none
    2. Does the essay waste words by discussing a significant amount of irrelevant information or including quotes?

    Yes
    No

    Answer: No
    Feedback : Notice how Sentence 4 clarifies a critical principle, although it is not needed for ‘points’.
    3. Are any ideas disorganized or scattered? Do ideas jump from one to the next in an unconnected manner?
    None
    Some (1 or 2)
    Many (more than 2)
    Answer: None
    Feedback : Notice that Sentence 2 provides a transition from the first sentence to the rest of the paragraph. It actually is the topic sentence, because it summarizes the focus of the essay: compare fat- and water-soluble hormones.
    4. Are any sentences unclear and hard to understand, perhaps with jumbled words?
    None
    Some (1 or 2)
    Many (more than 2)
    Answer: None
    Feedback : If this essay seems easy to read, that is because it is written in the active voice, with action verbs like 'increases,differ, contribute, activate, binds, to affect,' etc. rather than the counterparts of these verbs in the passive voice, like 'increased by, are different from, received by, activated by, bound by, affectd by,' etc.
    5. Does the essay begin with the knowledge claim that increasing testosterone in elderly men increases muscle strength, with the research article acknowledged?

    Yes
    No

    Answer: Yes
    Feedback : none
    6. Does the essay explain that testosterone receptors are inside the cell because testosterone is fat soluble and diffuses into the cell freely? Does it state that IGF-1 receptors are on the cell membrane? Select "None" if the above is absent, "Some" if one of the above is present or if all are present and some do not make sense, and "Many" if all of the above is present and all make sense.
    None
    Some (1 or 2)
    Many (more than 2)
    Answer: Some (1 or 2)
    Feedback : Leaves out the principle that testosterone, being fat soluble, can diffuse across the cell membrane to bind receptors inside the cell.
    7. Does the essay state that IGF-1 binds a cell surface receptor for activating second messengers inside the cell?

    Yes
    No

    Answer: No
    Feedback : The essay seems to imply this but fails to state it clearly.
    8. Does the essay state that testosterone binds receptors that activate genes for synthesizing mRNA for IGF-1? Select "None" if the above is absent, "Some" if only genes or mRNA are included, and "Many" all of the above is present.
    None
    Some (1 or 2)
    Many (more than 2)
    Answer: Many (more than 2)
    Feedback : none
    9. Does the essay state that IGF-1 is secreted out of the cell before it can bind its receptor on the cell surface? Does it state that IGF-1 is responsible for promoting synthesis of the contractile proteins for muscle strength? Select "None" if the above is absent, "Some" if only one of the above is included, and "Many" if all of the above is present.
    None
    Some (1 or 2)
    Many (more than 2)
    Answer: Many (more than 2)
    Feedback : none
    10. Does the essay conclude with three value claims that make sense, for testosterone in the elderly, supported by article, for the social value of testosterone, and for testosterone versus exercise? Select "None" if the above is absent, "Some" if only 1 or 2 are present or if all are present and some are incomplete, and "Many" if all are present and complete.
    None
    Some (1 or 2)
    Many (more than 2)
    Answer: Many (more than 2)
    Feedback : Note that each value claim clearly states some benefit or value choice, justified with some explanation.
    11. How would you rate this text?
    10 Highest
    9
    8
    7
    6
    5
    4
    3
    2
    1 Lowest
    Rating: 9
    Feedback : Count each of the ten questions as 1 pt. This essay lost 0.5 pt for missing one of two items in #6 and 1 pt from #7. Benefit of the doubt rounds up to a score of '9'.

    Top

    Mid Quality Calibration
    Giving testosterone to elderly men increases their muscle mass and strength. Testosterone binds recepters inside the cell, while IGF-1, another hormone involved with muscle strength, binds recepters on the cell surface. The physiologic principle for this difference is that testosterone, being fat soluble, can diffuse into the cell. Here, testosterone binds receptors that activate the gene for promoting synthesis of mRNA for IGF-1. Once synthesized, IGF-1 binds recepters on the outer cell membrane. This process activates second messengers inside the cell. These molecules, in turn, activate processes inside muscle cells for synthesis of contractile proteins, and increase in muscle strength. Some value claims for the testosterone study could be that increasing testosterone could benefit the elderly (Urban et al., 1995) and giving testosterone to the elderly could have the social value of enabling the elderly to do more strength-related tasks or to more effectively keep from falling and injuring themselves.

    1. Does the essay have mechanical errors (in spelling, grammar, punctuation)?
    None
    Some (1 or 2)
    Many (more than 2)
    Answer: Many (more than 2)
    Feedback : Mispells ‘receptors’ throughout the essay. Sentence 5 has an unneeded comma after ‘and’ because an incomplete sentence, "increase in muscle strength," follows it. The last sentence needs a comma after ‘and,’ because a complete sentence, ‘giving testosterone …,’ follows it. General rule: put a comma in front of any complete sentence that occurs within a sentence.
    2. Does the essay waste words by discussing a significant amount of irrelevant information or including quotes?

    Yes
    No

    Answer: No
    Feedback : none
    3. Are any ideas disorganized or scattered? Do ideas jump from one to the next in an unconnected manner?
    None
    Some (1 or 2)
    Many (more than 2)
    Answer: None
    Feedback : Notice how the second sentence gives extra material about IGF-1, to make sure the reader can logically relate it to testosterone and have a better idea about the topic of the essay.
    4. Are any sentences unclear and hard to understand, perhaps with jumbled words?
    None
    Some (1 or 2)
    Many (more than 2)
    Answer: None
    Feedback : none
    5. Does the essay begin with the knowledge claim that increasing testosterone in elderly men increases muscle strength, with the research article acknowledged?

    Yes
    No

    Answer: No
    Feedback : Failed to acknowledge source of this knowledge: Urban et al. (1995)
    6. Does the essay explain that testosterone receptors are inside the cell because testosterone is fat soluble and diffuses into the cell freely? Does it state that IGF-1 receptors are on the cell membrane? Select "None" if the above is absent, "Some" if one of the above is present or if all are present and some do not make sense, and "Many" if all of the above is present and all make sense.
    None
    Some (1 or 2)
    Many (more than 2)
    Answer: Some (1 or 2)
    Feedback : Leaves out the principle that IGF-1, being a water-soluble protein-like hormone, cannot diffuse across cell membranes.
    7. Does the essay state that IGF-1 binds a cell surface receptor for activating second messengers inside the cell?

    Yes
    No

    Answer: Yes
    Feedback : none
    8. Does the essay state that testosterone binds receptors that activate genes for synthesizing mRNA for IGF-1? Select "None" if the above is absent, "Some" if only genes or mRNA are included, and "Many" all of the above is present.
    None
    Some (1 or 2)
    Many (more than 2)
    Answer: Many (more than 2)
    Feedback : none
    9. Does the essay state that IGF-1 is secreted out of the cell before it can bind its receptor on the cell surface? Does it state that IGF-1 is responsible for promoting synthesis of the contractile proteins for muscle strength? Select "None" if the above is absent, "Some" if only one of the above is included, and "Many" if all of the above is present.
    None
    Some (1 or 2)
    Many (more than 2)
    Answer: Some (1 or 2)
    Feedback : Leaves out the idea that IGF-1 is synthesized inside the cell and secreted to the outside, the only place where it can bind receptors.
    10. Does the essay conclude with three value claims that make sense, for testosterone in the elderly, supported by article, for the social value of testosterone, and for testosterone versus exercise? Select "None" if the above is absent, "Some" if only 1 or 2 are present or if all are present and some are incomplete, and "Many" if all are present and complete.
    None
    Some (1 or 2)
    Many (more than 2)
    Answer: Some (1 or 2)
    Feedback : Missing one value claim.
    11. How would you rate this text?
    10 Highest
    9
    8
    7
    6
    5
    4
    3
    2
    1 Lowest
    Rating: 7
    Feedback : This essay loses 1 pt for #1 and #5,and 0.5 pt for #6, #9, and #10, for a total of 3.5 pts. Benefit of the doubt rounds to '7.'

    Top

    Low Quality Calibration
    According to Urban et al. (1995), “increasing testosterone concentrations in elderly men increases skeletal muscle protein synthesis and strength.” Not studied were women. Testosterone is also needed for their strength. Muscle growth involves testosterone and IGF-1 working together. Receptors on the cell surface are bound by IGF-1. Receptors inside the cell are bound by testosterone. IGF-1 goes though the cell membrane when it binds its receptor. Otherwise, the cell could not be affected by IGF-1. Receptors that activate the gene for promoting synthesis of mRNA for testosterone are bound by IGF-1. This is important because muscle growth depends on testosterone. Muscle strength depends on muscle growth. The mRNA needed for contractile proteins is synthesized when receptors are activated by testosterone. An increase in muscle strength occurs when contractile proteins are synthesized by mRNA, the second messenger. The second messenger process happens when testosterone is secreted so the second message, protein synthesis, can happen. The facts that testosterone increases strength (Urban et al., 1995), IGF-1 synthesis, and muscle mass are three value claims for testosterone.

    1. Does the essay have mechanical errors (in spelling, grammar, punctuation)?
    None
    Some (1 or 2)
    Many (more than 2)
    Answer: None
    Feedback : The essay has no flaws here, but is written in the passive voice (‘what was done to whom') rather than the active voice (‘who does what to whom’). The lack of clarity of the passive voice, combined with inclusion of the right ‘buzzwords,’ makes grossly inaccurate content seem accurate. It also makes the reader struggle to derive meaning. Don’t be fooled!
    2. Does the essay waste words by discussing a significant amount of irrelevant information or including quotes?

    Yes
    No

    Answer: Yes
    Feedback : The essay includes a direct quote rather than ‘own words,’ and Sentences 2, 3 and 10 digress from the focus of the essay. Also, the passive voice automatically wastes words.
    3. Are any ideas disorganized or scattered? Do ideas jump from one to the next in an unconnected manner?
    None
    Some (1 or 2)
    Many (more than 2)
    Answer: Many (more than 2)
    Feedback : Most of the sentences express ideas in a disjointed, ‘machine-gun-like’ manner.
    4. Are any sentences unclear and hard to understand, perhaps with jumbled words?
    None
    Some (1 or 2)
    Many (more than 2)
    Answer: Many (more than 2)
    Feedback : The next to last sentence does not make sense. Almost every sentence lacks clarity because of being written in the passive voice, which forces the reader to struggle for meaning.
    5. Does the essay begin with the knowledge claim that increasing testosterone in elderly men increases muscle strength, with the research article acknowledged?

    Yes
    No

    Answer: Yes
    Feedback : The essay does an effective job here, but ignores the directions for putting all sentences into one's own words.
    6. Does the essay explain that testosterone receptors are inside the cell because testosterone is fat soluble and diffuses into the cell freely? Does it state that IGF-1 receptors are on the cell membrane? Select "None" if the above is absent, "Some" if one of the above is present or if all are present and some do not make sense, and "Many" if all of the above is present and all make sense.
    None
    Some (1 or 2)
    Many (more than 2)
    Answer: Some (1 or 2)
    Feedback : Incorrectly states that IGF-1 diffuses across the cell membrane.
    7. Does the essay state that IGF-1 binds a cell surface receptor for activating second messengers inside the cell?

    Yes
    No

    Answer: No
    Feedback : Incorrectly states that IGF-1 affects cells by entering them with its receptor rather than by activating second messengers inside the cell. Also, mRNA molecules are never considered to be second messengers, which have the job of influencing enzymes inside the cell.
    8. Does the essay state that testosterone binds receptors that activate genes for synthesizing mRNA for IGF-1? Select "None" if the above is absent, "Some" if only genes or mRNA are included, and "Many" all of the above is present.
    None
    Some (1 or 2)
    Many (more than 2)
    Answer: None
    Feedback : Incorrectly states that the mRNA synthesized for muscle strength is for the synthesis of testosterone, not IGF-1.
    9. Does the essay state that IGF-1 is secreted out of the cell before it can bind its receptor on the cell surface? Does it state that IGF-1 is responsible for promoting synthesis of the contractile proteins for muscle strength? Select "None" if the above is absent, "Some" if only one of the above is included, and "Many" if all of the above is present.
    None
    Some (1 or 2)
    Many (more than 2)
    Answer: None
    Feedback : Incorrectly states that testosterone rather than IGF-1 is secreted, with no mention of IGF-1.
    10. Does the essay conclude with three value claims that make sense, for testosterone in the elderly, supported by article, for the social value of testosterone, and for testosterone versus exercise? Select "None" if the above is absent, "Some" if only 1 or 2 are present or if all are present and some are incomplete, and "Many" if all are present and complete.
    None
    Some (1 or 2)
    Many (more than 2)
    Answer: None
    Feedback : Gives only knowledge claims without discussing their potential value.
    11. How would you rate this text?
    10 Highest
    9
    8
    7
    6
    5
    4
    3
    2
    1 Lowest
    Rating: 3
    Feedback : This essay loses 1 pt for #2, #3, #4, #7, #8, #9, and #10, with 0.5 pt off for #6, for a total of -7.5 pts. Benefit of the doubt rounds up to a score of '3.'

    Top