B9 (all) Flashcards
(40 cards)
Describe a nerve impulse
an electrical signal that passes along nerve cells called neurones
Describe the human nervous system
It consists of:
- the central nervous system (CNS) which has the brain and spinal cord
- the peripheral nervous system
- sense organs and effectors, to coordinate and regulate body functions
voluntary and involuntary actions
voluntary actions require a conscious decision to be made
involuntary actions don’t involve conscious decisions so are much faster and produce the same response
Identify from diagrams:
1. motor (effector)
2. relay (connector)
3. sensory neurones
see diagrams in textbook or notebook!
Describe a simple reflex arc
the pathway taken by electrical impulses as they travel along neurones.
describe the reflex arc of someone stepping on a pin
- stimulus: stepping on a pin
- impulse starts at the receptor
- impulse is passed along the sensory neurone
- impulse is passed along the relay neurone
- impulse is passed along the motor neurone
- effector receives impulses to react
- response: lift foot away
basically: stimulus –> receptor –> sensory neurone –> relay neurone in CNS –> motor neurone –> effector –> response
Describe a reflex action
a means of automatically and rapidly INTERGRATING AND COORDINATING STIMULI with the responses of effectors (muscles and glands)
what is a stimulus
a change in conditions
what does a receptor do?
it recognizes the stimulus for a response to occur
what does an effector do?
it carries out the response
what are sensory neurons?
they link sense organs to the CNS
what are relay/connector neurons?
they are short neurons within the CNS
what are motor/effector neurons?
they connect the CNS to an effector such as a muscle
Identify the structures of the eye:
- cornea
- iris
- pupil
- lens
- retina
- optic nerve
- ciliary muscles
- suspensory ligaments
- blind spot
see the diagram and memorize it!!
Describe the function of the cornea
it refracts light
Describe the function of the iris
it controls how much light enters pupil
Describe the function of the lens
it focuses light onto the retina
Describe the function of the retina
it contains LIGHT RECEPTORS, some sensitive to light of different colours
Describe the function of the optic nerve
it carries impulses to the brain
Explain the pupil reflex
In response to the INTENSITY OF LIGHT, CIRCULAR AND RADICAL muscles in the iris work as ANTAGONISTIC PAIRS to dilate or contract the pupil
- bright light: circular muscle contract, radical muscles relax, pupils constrict
- dim light: circular muscle relax, radical muscles contract, pupils dilate
Explain accommodation to view near and distant objects
accommodation is controlled by the CILIARY MUSCLES and the SUSPENSORY LIGAMENTS. accommodation allows us to FOCUS on near or distant objects, and it makes the lens CHANGE SHAPE.
Define a hormone
it is a CHEMICAL SUSBSTANCE produced by a GLAND, carried by the BLOOD. It ALTERS THE ACTIVITY of one or more specific TARGET ORGANS.
Describe adrenaline
It is the hormone secreted in ‘fight or flight’ situations. Its effects are limited to increased breathing and pulse rate and widened pupils.
Situations in which adrenaline secretion increases
examples of these situations are:
- when you’re scared or stressed
- “flight or flight” situations
- in the face of danger
- in exciting situations