biology topic 5 Flashcards
(89 cards)
what is Homeostasis
the maintaining of a constant internal
environment in the body.
how is homeostasis maintained
Maintained by negative feedback; Opposite response to a
change occurring in your body to bring conditions back the
optimum level.
why is homeostasis important
Ensures enzymes work at optimum conditions
what is Negative feedback
- occurs when there is a change in the body
- the nervous system detects the change
- this stimulates an opposite hormonal response
- this reverses the effect back to homeostasis.
what is positive feedback
- a change starts
- the nervous system detects the change
- then stimulates more hormones to be released to accelerate the
change.
what are Receptor cells
specialised cells that detect a stimulus (changes in the environment).
describe Structure of Nervous system (reflex arc)
Stimuli – change in environment
↓
Receptor – detects changes
↓
Sensory neurone – sends electrical signals TO CNS
↓
CNS - Central nervous system (Brain + Spinal cord) relay neurones
↓
Motor neurones – sends electrical signals FROM CNS
↓
Effector – Muscle or gland
↓
Response – Muscle contracts or gland releases a hormone
Synapses – gap between 2 neurones where chemical
messengers diffuse
what are Reflex actions
Reflex actions are automatic and rapid; they do not involve the
conscious part of the brain. Only use the spinal cord NOT THE BRAIN
why are Reflex actions important
Reflex actions are important as
they protect the body from injury.
what do coordination centers do
they receive and process information from receptors.
how does the brain work as a coordination center
Coordinates information from the
receptor cells and sends signals to
the muscles and glands.
how does the spine work as a coordination center
Coordinates messages from the
brain and receptor cells and
coordinates reflexes.
how does the pancreas work as a coordination center
Coordinates the glucose levels in the blood.
what are the three parts of the brain
- Cerebral Cortex
- Medulla
- Cerebellum
what is the function of the Cerebral cortex
Controls consciousness, intelligence, memory and language
what is the function of the Medulla
Controls unconscious activities; heartbeat and breathing
what is the function of the Cerebellum
Coordinates muscle activity
how have people been able to map regions of the brain
- studying patients with brain damage,
- electrically stimulating different parts of the brain
- using magnetic resonance imagery (an MRI)
what is the practical for reaction time
1) Person A sits on chair with arm hanging off table
2) Person B hold ruler just above person A’s hand – control variable; keep start position or ruler the same
3) Person B drops ruler without warning
4) Person A catches ruler
5) Write down distance from ruler (shorter distance = faster reaction time)
what is the eye
The eye is a sense organ containing receptors sensitive to light intensity and colour.
what does the Cornea do
Refracts (bends) light into the eye.
what does the Iris do
Contains muscles that control the amount of light entering the eye.
what does the Pupil do
Lets light into eye
what does the lens do
Refracts (bends) light onto the retina.