Randy and Josh have their hands up first, as usual. I know they will answer correctly, but I want to be sure Cimone and Kareem understand. They are very bright students who want to pursue careers in the health professions so they must understand the endocrine system. Cimone is interested in becoming an anesthesiologist and Kareem, an obstetrician. They will need to understand how the brain links the organs that control growth and development. Judy and Andrew, I’m sure, have their minds on other things. Judy is probably thinking about going to the mall and Andrew is thinking about tomorrow’s basketball game. But they, too, can benefit from at least a cursory understanding of the system if for no other reason than to understand how metabolism works in dieting or how steroids can affect sports players. Mason has his hand up. He and Sterling in my fourth period class are very eager, but need to study more. And, Mark is daydreaming, as usual. I think I’ll call on him to try to get him involved in the conversation.

Page last updated: March 30 , 2006