Homeostasis Flashcards
(143 cards)
Define homeostasis
The regulation of internal conditions of a cell or organism in order to maintain optimum conditions for function in response to internal and external changes.
What is the purpose of homeostasis
To maintain optimum conditions in response to stimuli, for enzyme action and all cell action.
Enzyme and cell action include cellular respiration.
In the human body, state three examples of what is controlled by homeostasis
- Blood glucose concentration
- Body temperature
- Water levels
think of endurance athlete
What is an automatic control system?
A system that mainly involves chemical and nervous responses.
What do automatic control systems always include?
STIMULUS
Receptor cells
Coordination centre
Effectors
RESPONSE
Automatic controls systems can involve what 2 types of responses?
Chemical and nervous responses
What is a receptor?
Cells which detect internal and external stimuli.
(Stimuli = changes to the environment)
What is a coordination centre?
The place where information is received from the receptor cells and is processed and an appropriate response is coordinated.
What is an effector?
Muscles or glands which bring about responses to restore optimum levels
Examples of receptors, coordination centres and effectors:
Receptors = cells
Coordination centres = Brain, spinal cord, pancreas
Effectors = muscles(contracting) or glands (secreting hormones)
The nervous system consists of two parts, what are they?
- The CNS - the brain and spinal cord
- Neurons
Explain how the nervous system works:
- Receptor cells detect stimuli in the environment and convert this into an electrical impulse.
- These electrical impulses pass along sensory neurones to CNS.
- At CNS information carried by electrical impulses are received and processed and the appropriate response is coordinated.
- This processed information is converted to an electrical impulse which passes along motor neurones from CNS to the effectors.
- Effectors receive this info and carry out the response to restore optimum levels.
What is meant by a reflex action?
An automatic and rapid response to a stimulus that does not involve the conscious part of the brain.
Why are reflex actions important?
- They prevent us from harm and danger because they are automatic and rapid.
- They control everyday body functions because they are automatic.
The reflex arc includes what three types of neurones?
- Sensory neurones (connected to receptor cells)
- Motor neurones (found in CNS)
- Relay neurones (found in CNS spinal cord, they connect sensory and motor neurones tg)
Describe the process of the reflex arc:
- Stimulus is detected by receptor cells and is converted into an electrical impulse.
- Electrical impulse passes along sensory neurones until they reach the end of the S neurone body.
- When they reach the end, chemicals are triggered to be released from the S into the synapses between S and R neurones.
- Chemicals diffuse across synapses between S and R neurones until they reach the receptor site of the relay neurone found in the spinal chord.
- This triggers and electrical impulses in the relay neurones.
- Electrical impulses pass thru R neurones body, and once they reach the end of the body, chemical are triggered to be released into the synapses between R and M neurones.
- The chemical diffuse across the synapses until they reach the receptor site of the M neurones.
- This now triggers an electrical impulse to start in the motor neurone.
- Electrical impulse in motor neurone travels through it to the effector.
- Once electrical impulses reach effectors a response to the stimuli is triggered, this included muscles contracting or glands secreting hormones.
Label/draw a diagram of the brain
What is meant by the brain:
An organ made up of millions of interconnected neurones which control complex behaviour.
True or false, the brain has different regions which carry out different functions?
True
What are the three main parts of the brain?
- Cerebral cortex - highly folded outer part of the brain
- Cerebellum - rounded structure towards the bottom/back of the brain
- Medulla (the stick ‘’/’’) - bottom-most part of the brain, located in the brainstem in front of the cerebellum.
Role of cerebral cortex:
M.I.L.C - to control memory, intelligence, language and consciousness.
Role of the cerebellum:
To control and coordinate muscular movement, muscular activity and balance.
(So if someone has difficulty contracting their muscles, you can link this to the cerebellum possibly being affected).
Role of the medulla
To control unconscious activity such as breathing, digestion and heart rate.
How can scientists investigate the brain, treat brain damage and treat brain diseases?
- MRI scans
- Electrically simulating different parts of the brain
- Study patients with brain damage.