Feline Frenzy: Cracking The Case of A Shrinking Cat

Instructional Guide

Learners will learn the location, function, and effects of the thyroid gland as well as why it can result in weight loss. The lesson will include a short reading, two activities, and a short quiz. 

Intended Grade Level

Grades 9-12. Students should have basic understanding of anatomy including the alimentary canal, thyroid gland, cells, heart, and lungs. Students should have a basic understanding of physiology including metabolism and basal metabolic tone.

Learning objectives

• Students will learn about anatomy that pertains to hyperthyroidism induced weight loss.
• Students will be able to describe the roles of thyroid hormone and how they affect metabolism.
• Students can relate the roles of thyroid hormone and how they increase energy demands for the body.
• Students can describe why hyperthyroidism can result in weight-loss.

Lesson Format

student page

• Background reading: Students will familiarize themselves with thyroid glands, thyroid hormones, hyperthyroidism, hyperthyroidism signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment by reading through the lesson (5 minutes).
• Activity 1, which is detailed below (5 minutes).
• Open up a post activity discussion to answer the following questions (5 minutes)
  • What did you learn after completion of the activity?
  • What were the organs affected by thyroid hormone?
  • How might the effects of thyroid hormone affect the energy demands of cats?
• Activity 2, which is detailed below (16 minute).
• Open up a class discussion to answer the following questions (5 minutes):
  • What did you notice about the calories burned vs. the calories consumed?
  • How does this activity relate to the previous activity?
  • Why would having more calories burned vs. calories consumed result in weight loss?
• Students will go through a short assessment to address what they have learned throughout the lesson

Lesson Background

Cats have two thyroid glands in their neck these play important roles such as regulating metabolism. Hyperthyroidism is an endocrine disease that most commonly occurs in cats over 10 years of age. Enlargement of the thyroid gland causes an increase in production of the thyroid hormone. Increased production of the thyroid hormone increases the cat’s metabolic rate. A common symptom is weight loss as the animal is burning up calories faster than it can consume them. A good metaphor for this would be when your expenses outweigh your income. Other symptoms include a ravenous appetite, increased drinking, vomiting, and a poor hair coat.

Activities

For the first activity students will match the thyroid hormone to the affected organ system in a drag-and-drop style game.

The second activity involves throwing soft objects to demonstrate energy consumption. Have students read the short paragraph before the activity instructions to help them understand the relevance before the activity begins. Students can follow along with the provide youtube video if independent.

Common misconceptions and challenge points

• Students may think that the thyroid gland is located in the brain. The thyroid gland is in the neck, near the trachea, not in the brain.
• Students may think that cats only have one thyroid gland.Cats, like most mammals, have two lobes of the thyroid gland, one on each side of the trachea.
• Students may think that the thyroid gland is part of the digestive system. The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system, not the digestive system, though its hormones indirectly influence digestion.
• Students may think that the thyroid gland only controls weight. The thyroid gland regulates overall metabolism, heart rate, body temperature, energy levels, and growth, not just weight.
• Students may think that thyroid hormones always slow the body down. Thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) typically speed up metabolism, especially in hyperthyroidism.
• Students may think that the thyroid gland works independently of other systems. The thyroid gland is regulated by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland and interacts with multiple body systems.
• Students may think that thyroid hormones only affect the thyroid gland itself. Thyroid hormones influence nearly every organ system, affecting energy production, heart function, and thermoregulation.
• Students may think that thyroid problems only cause weight gain. While hypothyroidism may cause weight gain, hyperthyroidism often leads to weight loss due to increased metabolism.
• Students may think that thyroid hormones directly break down fat in the body. Thyroid hormones increase overall metabolic rate, which may lead to fat and muscle loss due to higher energy demands.
• Students may think that cats lose weight because they eat less food. Hyperthyroid cats often eat more (polyphagia) because of increased energy demands, but they still lose weight due to excessive metabolism and reduced nutrient absorption.
• Students may think that the weight loss is caused by the thyroid gland physically shrinking. The weight loss results from metabolic changes, not structural changes in the thyroid gland.
• Students may think that weight loss in hyperthyroid cats is caused by fat being burned faster, but muscle is unaffected. Hyperthyroidism can lead to both fat and muscle loss due to the body’s inability to meet heightened energy demands.

Assessment

Students will read through a case and answer 3 questions, either individually or with a partner

Further exploration

See student page for resources.