Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals環境荷爾蒙
Can our bodies handle all the chemicals in our world?
我們的身體應付得了身邊所有化學物質嗎？
Have you ever wondered how your bones know when to grow, and when to stop growing? Or what makes your heart beat faster when you're nervous or excited? These are both examples of processes in your body that are regulated by chemicals called hormones. Hormones are created in organs called glands, and these glands make up the endocrine (內分泌) system.
In a healthy person whose endocrine system is working normally, hormones are constantly moving through the body and affecting how all kinds of tissues grow, how active the immune system is, and how the reproductive system functions. Hormones can even change a person's mood. So what happens if the endocrine system doesn't work properly?
Unfortunately, some of the synthetic chemicals found in pesticides and other industrial products have been discovered to change the way the endocrine system works. If a person is exposed to these chemicals, his body might start producing more or less of certain hormones. Once these substances—called endocrine-disrupting chemicals—get into the environment, they can have drastic effects on the health of animals, and if humans eat contaminated animals, they can be affected, too.
Scientists are doing more research to find out exactly how the human body is affected by different chemicals. However, new chemicals are constantly being invented for different purposes, and it can be difficult to keep up. In the meantime, people around the world have begun to consider controlling the use of pesticides and other products containing endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The Internet can provide you with more ways to avoid using or coming into contact with these chemicals.
1. Why should endocrine-disrupting chemicals be avoided?
(A) They always increase your heart rate.
(B) They affect the rate at which the body produces hormones.
(C) They are poisonous to fish and some plants.
(D) They do not work well as pesticides.
2. What is the main function of the endocrine system?
(A) To transport hormones through the body.
(B) To create new glands when old ones die.
(C) To protect the body from endocrine disruptors.
(D) To extract hormones from food.
3. Where can endocrine-disrupting chemicals be found?
(A) In all rivers that contain fish.
(B) In the glands that produce hormones.
(C) In human bones and muscle tissue.
(D) In some pesticides and in the environment.
精解字詞片語
1. wonder + 疑問詞引導的名詞子句 想知道……；對……覺得納悶
例: I wonder why men have to wear ties.
（我很納悶男人為什麼得打領帶。）
2. process n. 過程
in the process of... 在……的過程中
例: The company is in the process of expanding its factory.
（這家公司正在擴大其廠房。）
3. regulate vt. 管理，控制
例: If you don't regulate your time well, you'll find yourself always short of time.
（你如果不好好管理自己的時間，就會發現時間總是不夠用。）
4. make up... 組成……，構成……
例: Chinese make up a large majority of the population of Singapore.
（華人佔了新加坡人口的一大部分。）
5. constantly adv. 經常地，持續地
例: That cat constantly watches the birds through the window.
（那隻貓經常透過窗戶觀看小鳥。）
6. function vi. 運行，運作 & n. 功能
function as... 有……的功能
= serve the function of...
例: Oil is essential to an engine for it to function properly.
（機油對引擎的正常運轉是很重要的。）
例: This TV show will serve the function of educating the public.
（這個節目的功能是要教化大眾。）
7. be exposed to... 接觸到……；暴露於……
expose sb to + N/V-ing 使某人接觸到∕暴露於……
例: Mrs. Lin desires to expose her students to as much information as possible.
（林老師很想讓她的學生儘量多接觸各種資訊。）
8. have effects/an effect on... 對……有影響
= have influences/an influence on...
= have impacts/an impact on...
例: Her grandfather's passing away had a great impact on her life.
（她爺爺的辭世對她的生活有很大的影響。）
9. keep up 跟上
keep up with... 跟上…… ，不落後……
例: The new student can't keep up with the class.
（那個新學生無法跟上班上的進度。）
10. In the meantime, S + V 在此同時，……
= Meanwhile, S + V
例: The movie won't start for another hour. In the meantime, we can go window shopping.
（電影再過 1 個小時才開演。在此同時，我們可以去逛逛街。）
11. consider + V-ing 考慮……
例: Tina is considering taking yoga classes.
（蒂娜正在考慮去上瑜珈課。）
12. come into contact with... 和…… 有所接觸
例: The tribe came into contact with outsiders only fifty years ago.
（那個部落和外界接觸只不過是 50 年前的事。）
13. rate n. 速度；比例
at the rate of... 以……的速度
例: Water is leaking at the rate of one liter per minute.
（水正以每分鐘 1 公升的速度漏出來。）
14. transport vt. 運送
例: This machine can transport us back in time.
（這部機器可以把我們送回到過去。）
Grammar Tips
Scientists are doing more research to find out exactly how the human body is affected by different chemicals.
注意:
exactly 一般不用來修飾動詞，而通常置於疑問詞（如 what, where, when, how, who 等）引導的名詞子句之前，以強調該疑問詞。
例: We didn't know exactly why she wanted to drop out of school.
（我們不知道她究竟為何要休學。）
單字小舖
1. endocrine-disrupting chemicals 環境荷爾蒙
endocrine n. 內分泌；激素
2. hormone n. 荷爾蒙
3. gland n. 腺
4. tissue n.（動植物的）組織
5. active a. 活躍的
6. immune system n. 免疫系統
7. reproductive a. 生殖的
8. properly adv. 正確地；適當地
9. synthetic a. 合成的，人造的
10. pesticide n. 殺蟲劑
11. substance n. 物質
12. drastic a. 激烈的
13. contaminated a. 受污染的
14. poisonous a. 有毒的
15. extract vt. 提煉；取出
片語小舖
1. do research 從事研究
2. provide sb with sth 提供某人某物
= provide sth for sb
3. protect sb/sth from V-ing 保護某人∕某物免於……
你是否會納悶為何你的骨頭知道何時該生長，何時又該停止？又是什麼原因讓你在感到緊張或興奮時心跳加速？這兩種情形都是在人體內，由稱作荷爾蒙的化學物質所控制而產生的過程。荷爾蒙是由構成內分泌系統的腺體器官所製造。
在內分泌系統正常運作的健康人體內，荷爾蒙會持續地在體內流動，影響各種組織的生長、免疫系統的活動力及生殖系統的運作。荷爾蒙甚至可以改變人的心情。那麼若是內分泌系統失調，會發生什麼事呢？
很不幸地，在某些殺蟲劑及其他工業產品裡發現的化學合成物質，會改變內分泌系統的運作方式。如果人體接觸到這些化學物質，身體會開始分泌較多或較少的某些荷爾蒙。而一旦這些被稱之為『環境荷爾蒙』的物質進入生態環境，將對動物的健康造成極大的影響。而倘若人類吃下這些受污染的動物，也同樣會受到影響。
科學家目前正從事更多研究，以了解不同的化學物質究竟會對人體造成什麼影響。然而，新的化學物質基於各種不同用途不斷被創造出來，使得追蹤更新的工作益發困難。在此同時，世界各地的人們也開始考慮控制殺蟲劑及其他含有環境荷爾蒙的產品用量。網路上可提供給您更多如何避免使用或是接觸這些化學物質的方法。
1. 為什麼我們應該避免環境荷爾蒙？
(A) 它們總是使人心跳加速。
(B) 它們會影響人體製造荷爾蒙的速度。
(C) 它們會毒害魚類及某些植物。
(D) 它們不如殺蟲劑有效。
題解: 根據本文第三段，在某些殺蟲劑及其他工業產品裡發現的化學合成物質，會改變內分泌系統的運作方式，如果人體接觸到這些化學物質，身體會開始分泌較多或較少的某些荷爾蒙，而這些化學物質稱之為『環境荷爾蒙』，可知應選 (B)。
2. 內分泌系統的主要功能為何？
(A) 將荷爾蒙運送至全身。
(B) 當腺體老化壞死時，製造新的腺體。
(C) 保護身體免於內分泌干擾素的傷害。
(D) 從食物中攝取荷爾蒙。
題解: 根據本文第二段，內分泌系統正常運作的健康人體內，荷爾蒙會持續在體內流動，影響各種組織的生長、免疫系統的活動及生殖系統的運作，可知 (A) 為正選。
3. 環境荷爾蒙可在何處發現？
(A) 有魚群的溪流中。
(B) 製造荷爾蒙的腺體中。
(C) 人體的骨骼及肌肉組織中。
(D) 某些殺蟲劑及生態環境中。
題解: 根據本文第三段，在殺蟲劑及其他工業產品裡發現的化學合成物質，也就是環境荷爾蒙，進入到生態環境，將對動物的健康造成極大的影響，可知應選 (D)。
標準答案: 1. (B) 2. (A) 3. (D)
我們的身體應付得了身邊所有化學物質嗎？
Have you ever wondered how your bones know when to grow, and when to stop growing? Or what makes your heart beat faster when you're nervous or excited? These are both examples of processes in your body that are regulated by chemicals called hormones. Hormones are created in organs called glands, and these glands make up the endocrine (內分泌) system.
In a healthy person whose endocrine system is working normally, hormones are constantly moving through the body and affecting how all kinds of tissues grow, how active the immune system is, and how the reproductive system functions. Hormones can even change a person's mood. So what happens if the endocrine system doesn't work properly?
Unfortunately, some of the synthetic chemicals found in pesticides and other industrial products have been discovered to change the way the endocrine system works. If a person is exposed to these chemicals, his body might start producing more or less of certain hormones. Once these substances—called endocrine-disrupting chemicals—get into the environment, they can have drastic effects on the health of animals, and if humans eat contaminated animals, they can be affected, too.
Scientists are doing more research to find out exactly how the human body is affected by different chemicals. However, new chemicals are constantly being invented for different purposes, and it can be difficult to keep up. In the meantime, people around the world have begun to consider controlling the use of pesticides and other products containing endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The Internet can provide you with more ways to avoid using or coming into contact with these chemicals.
1. Why should endocrine-disrupting chemicals be avoided?
(A) They always increase your heart rate.
(B) They affect the rate at which the body produces hormones.
(C) They are poisonous to fish and some plants.
(D) They do not work well as pesticides.
2. What is the main function of the endocrine system?
(A) To transport hormones through the body.
(B) To create new glands when old ones die.
(C) To protect the body from endocrine disruptors.
(D) To extract hormones from food.
3. Where can endocrine-disrupting chemicals be found?
(A) In all rivers that contain fish.
(B) In the glands that produce hormones.
(C) In human bones and muscle tissue.
(D) In some pesticides and in the environment.
精解字詞片語
1. wonder + 疑問詞引導的名詞子句 想知道……；對……覺得納悶
例: I wonder why men have to wear ties.
（我很納悶男人為什麼得打領帶。）
2. process n. 過程
in the process of... 在……的過程中
例: The company is in the process of expanding its factory.
（這家公司正在擴大其廠房。）
3. regulate vt. 管理，控制
例: If you don't regulate your time well, you'll find yourself always short of time.
（你如果不好好管理自己的時間，就會發現時間總是不夠用。）
4. make up... 組成……，構成……
例: Chinese make up a large majority of the population of Singapore.
（華人佔了新加坡人口的一大部分。）
5. constantly adv. 經常地，持續地
例: That cat constantly watches the birds through the window.
（那隻貓經常透過窗戶觀看小鳥。）
6. function vi. 運行，運作 & n. 功能
function as... 有……的功能
= serve the function of...
例: Oil is essential to an engine for it to function properly.
（機油對引擎的正常運轉是很重要的。）
例: This TV show will serve the function of educating the public.
（這個節目的功能是要教化大眾。）
7. be exposed to... 接觸到……；暴露於……
expose sb to + N/V-ing 使某人接觸到∕暴露於……
例: Mrs. Lin desires to expose her students to as much information as possible.
（林老師很想讓她的學生儘量多接觸各種資訊。）
8. have effects/an effect on... 對……有影響
= have influences/an influence on...
= have impacts/an impact on...
例: Her grandfather's passing away had a great impact on her life.
（她爺爺的辭世對她的生活有很大的影響。）
9. keep up 跟上
keep up with... 跟上…… ，不落後……
例: The new student can't keep up with the class.
（那個新學生無法跟上班上的進度。）
10. In the meantime, S + V 在此同時，……
= Meanwhile, S + V
例: The movie won't start for another hour. In the meantime, we can go window shopping.
（電影再過 1 個小時才開演。在此同時，我們可以去逛逛街。）
11. consider + V-ing 考慮……
例: Tina is considering taking yoga classes.
（蒂娜正在考慮去上瑜珈課。）
12. come into contact with... 和…… 有所接觸
例: The tribe came into contact with outsiders only fifty years ago.
（那個部落和外界接觸只不過是 50 年前的事。）
13. rate n. 速度；比例
at the rate of... 以……的速度
例: Water is leaking at the rate of one liter per minute.
（水正以每分鐘 1 公升的速度漏出來。）
14. transport vt. 運送
例: This machine can transport us back in time.
（這部機器可以把我們送回到過去。）
Grammar Tips
Scientists are doing more research to find out exactly how the human body is affected by different chemicals.
注意:
exactly 一般不用來修飾動詞，而通常置於疑問詞（如 what, where, when, how, who 等）引導的名詞子句之前，以強調該疑問詞。
例: We didn't know exactly why she wanted to drop out of school.
（我們不知道她究竟為何要休學。）
單字小舖
1. endocrine-disrupting chemicals 環境荷爾蒙
endocrine n. 內分泌；激素
2. hormone n. 荷爾蒙
3. gland n. 腺
4. tissue n.（動植物的）組織
5. active a. 活躍的
6. immune system n. 免疫系統
7. reproductive a. 生殖的
8. properly adv. 正確地；適當地
9. synthetic a. 合成的，人造的
10. pesticide n. 殺蟲劑
11. substance n. 物質
12. drastic a. 激烈的
13. contaminated a. 受污染的
14. poisonous a. 有毒的
15. extract vt. 提煉；取出
片語小舖
1. do research 從事研究
2. provide sb with sth 提供某人某物
= provide sth for sb
3. protect sb/sth from V-ing 保護某人∕某物免於……
你是否會納悶為何你的骨頭知道何時該生長，何時又該停止？又是什麼原因讓你在感到緊張或興奮時心跳加速？這兩種情形都是在人體內，由稱作荷爾蒙的化學物質所控制而產生的過程。荷爾蒙是由構成內分泌系統的腺體器官所製造。
在內分泌系統正常運作的健康人體內，荷爾蒙會持續地在體內流動，影響各種組織的生長、免疫系統的活動力及生殖系統的運作。荷爾蒙甚至可以改變人的心情。那麼若是內分泌系統失調，會發生什麼事呢？
很不幸地，在某些殺蟲劑及其他工業產品裡發現的化學合成物質，會改變內分泌系統的運作方式。如果人體接觸到這些化學物質，身體會開始分泌較多或較少的某些荷爾蒙。而一旦這些被稱之為『環境荷爾蒙』的物質進入生態環境，將對動物的健康造成極大的影響。而倘若人類吃下這些受污染的動物，也同樣會受到影響。
科學家目前正從事更多研究，以了解不同的化學物質究竟會對人體造成什麼影響。然而，新的化學物質基於各種不同用途不斷被創造出來，使得追蹤更新的工作益發困難。在此同時，世界各地的人們也開始考慮控制殺蟲劑及其他含有環境荷爾蒙的產品用量。網路上可提供給您更多如何避免使用或是接觸這些化學物質的方法。
1. 為什麼我們應該避免環境荷爾蒙？
(A) 它們總是使人心跳加速。
(B) 它們會影響人體製造荷爾蒙的速度。
(C) 它們會毒害魚類及某些植物。
(D) 它們不如殺蟲劑有效。
題解: 根據本文第三段，在某些殺蟲劑及其他工業產品裡發現的化學合成物質，會改變內分泌系統的運作方式，如果人體接觸到這些化學物質，身體會開始分泌較多或較少的某些荷爾蒙，而這些化學物質稱之為『環境荷爾蒙』，可知應選 (B)。
2. 內分泌系統的主要功能為何？
(A) 將荷爾蒙運送至全身。
(B) 當腺體老化壞死時，製造新的腺體。
(C) 保護身體免於內分泌干擾素的傷害。
(D) 從食物中攝取荷爾蒙。
題解: 根據本文第二段，內分泌系統正常運作的健康人體內，荷爾蒙會持續在體內流動，影響各種組織的生長、免疫系統的活動及生殖系統的運作，可知 (A) 為正選。
3. 環境荷爾蒙可在何處發現？
(A) 有魚群的溪流中。
(B) 製造荷爾蒙的腺體中。
(C) 人體的骨骼及肌肉組織中。
(D) 某些殺蟲劑及生態環境中。
題解: 根據本文第三段，在殺蟲劑及其他工業產品裡發現的化學合成物質，也就是環境荷爾蒙，進入到生態環境，將對動物的健康造成極大的影響，可知應選 (D)。
標準答案: 1. (B) 2. (A) 3. (D)
