Coordination and response Flashcards
Accomodation
The process by which the elastic lens changes its shape (with the aid of ciliary muscles and suspensory ligaments) to focus on near or distant objects. Light is focused onto the retina
Adrenal glands
Endocrine glands located above the kidneys that produce adrenaline
Adrenaline
A hormone produced by the adrenal glands that is involved in the fight or flight response. It increases heart rate, breathing rate and widens pupils. Adrenaline also increases blood glucose concentration
Antagonistic muscles
Pairs of muscles that work in an opposing fashion eg. circular and radial muscles
Auxins
A group of plant hormones that stimulate growth in shoot tips. They are involved in plant tropism
Blind spot
The area at the back of the eye where the optic nerve exits the eye. It lacks receptor cells so cannot detect an image.
Central nervous system (CNS)
The brain and spinal cord
Ciliary muscle
A ring of smooth muscle that controls the shape of the lens
Circular muscles
Muscles of the iris that are involved in the pupil reflex action. In bright light, the circular muscles contract to constrict the pupil. Less light enters the eye.
Cone cells
Cells found in the retina that are sensitive to high light intensity (bright light). There are three types of cone cells that can detect light of diffrent colours
Cornea
The transparent outer covering of the eye which refracts light entering the eye. A clear layer which coats the iris
Effector
An organ, tissue, or cell that produces a response to stimulus
Endocrine glands
Glands of the endocrine system that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream
Endocrine system
A collection of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream. Transmission of signals is slow and the effects are long lasting.
Fovea
A region in the middle of the retina with a high density of cone cells. This section provides the clearest image
Glucagon
A hormone secreted by the pancreas when blood glucose levels are too low. It causes the breakdown of glycogen into glucose in the liver.
Gravitropism
The plant’s growth in response to gravity
Hair erector muscles
Tiny muscles found in the skin which contract causing hairs to stand erect
Homeostasis
The maintanance of a stable internal environment in the body (within set limits) despite flunctuations in internal and external conditions. Allows an environment for cells to function
Hormone
A cell signaling molecule produced by endocrine glands and released into the blood. It travels to a target organ and binds to receptors on effectors, initiating a response
Hypothalamus
A structure in the brain that contains the thermoregulatory centre. It coordinates information from the receptors and sends instructions to the effectors
Insulin
A hormone secreted by the pancreas when blood glucose concentration is too high. It causes liver and muscle cells to increase their uptake of glucose and the conversion of glucose to glycogen in the liver
Involuntary action
An action that does not involve conscious thought. Also known as a reflex action
Iris
A pigmented ring of circular and radial muscles. It controls the size of the pupil to alter how much light enters the eye