Project Title

Category B (non-competitive)

New Mexico High School
Supercomputing Challenge
Final Report
April 4, 2001

Team Number 039

Shiprock High School

Team Members: _Lucinda Chee_____ _Cheryl Nez________ __________________ __________________ Sponsoring Teacher: _V. Noble_________ _H. Hines_________ Project Advisor: _John Wilson______

Team Number:	039
School Name:	Shiprock High School
Area of Science:	Biochemistry
Project Title:	Effect of Changes in Hormone Levels as a Function of Age
Project Abstract:	http://www.challenge.nm.org/Abstacts/039.shtml
Interim Report:	http://www.challenge.nm.org/Interim/039.shtml
Final Report:	http://www.challenge.nm.org/Finals/039.html

The intention of this particular project was to study the effects of testosterone and estrogen levels in men and women as a function of age. We intended to identify and investigate the primary fundamentals of hormones and try to understand how hormones play out their duties. To understand how hormones perform and how it relates to our behavior, we have taken an in-depth look toward the study of testosterone and estrogen levels in men and women.
In order to process out this idea, we have researched mainly on the Internet and have been in contact with our project mentor, who has provided us with several sources such as an individual who was familiar with this particular information.

As changes in hormone levels occur with age, changes in the body and behavior also occur. Testosterone is the male sex hormone and is produced in the male gonads, or testes. Testosterone regulates change to the male body during puberty, influences sexual behavior, and plays a role in growth. Estrogen is the female hormone and is secreted in the ovaries, regulates menstruation and stimulates lactation in humans and other mammals.

Our problem, which is stated in our executive summary, is to identify and investigate the primary fundamentals of hormones and try to understand how hormones play out their duties.

A hormone is a molecule released by one of a dozen glands and travels through the blood until it reaches a cell with a receptor that it fits. Next, the molecule attaches itself to the receptor and sends a signal inside the cell. This signal tells the cell to either produce a certain type of protein or multiply.

We have not entirely completed our research with the hormones, but we understand that hormones play a major role in our bodies. It is a huge factor with our biological processes to which we consider part of our daily lives. We also have concluded that testosterone and estrogen may be two of the highly recognized and resourceful hormones, but there are others that play to the fullest extent to our growth and behavior. But, unfortunately due to the lack of time, we were unable to fulfill our project.

After finding out that the two main hormones in the human bodies are testosterone and estrogen, we wanted to find numbers that we could plot on a graph and show the different ranges in hormones. But now that we have come to the end of our project we were unsuccessful and did not complete the project. However we have learned a little about hormones and their roles in the human body. For now we are at least glad to have participated in the challenge.

We would like to send our appreciation to those who have helped us to understand and were supportive on our on-going research with hormones. Thank you to Mrs. Noble and Mrs. Hines for sponsoring and being highly innovative with our projects. Jon Wilson, our mentor, who provided advice on how to go on our project. And last but no least, the judges for suggesting ideas that helped us in our project and the people who helped create and organize the Supercomputing Challenge, thank you.