1. Activity 3: Playing with nature

2. Hormones work slowly, over time, and affect many different processes, including
Growth and development
Metabolism (how your body gets energy from the foods you eat)
Sexual function
Reproduction
Mood

3. Human Growth Hormone (HGH)
A hormone that stimulates
growth
cell reproduction
cell regeneration
Known as the “Fountain of youth”
As you get older, HGH is secreted less and less by your pituitary gland.
This decrease in HGH begins once an individual reaches puberty

4. Houston we have a problem!
Hormones are powerful.
It takes only a tiny amount to cause big changes in cells or even your whole body.
That is why too little or too much of a certain hormone can be serious.

5. Too little or too much...
Too little HGH being produced leads to “Growth Hormone Deficiency”
Children with this condition maintain a short stature
In adults, this condition causes reduced physical performance
Too much HGH being produced leads to a condition called “Acromegaly”
Individual has enlarged hands, feet, facial features

6. Extra! Extra! Read all about it!
You will read two articles about individuals, specifically professional athletes, who intentionally intake more HGH to enhance their performance. This form of HGH was made in a lab (synthetically manufactured) and is not identical to the HGH naturally produced in your body.
Before reading…
- Look at the title and predict what you think the article will be about
While reading…
- Execute RUN (Reading, Underlining, and Notes in the margin)

7. Discussion
If you were a professional athlete, would you use HGH to enhance your performance? Justify your decision with evidence from these two articles.

8. Exit Ticket
You will have 5 minutes to complete the Exit Ticket