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Flashcards in Homeostasis Deck (43)
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1
Q

What is a set point?

A

A value at which a variable must be maintained to maintain homeostasis

2
Q

What is the set point for temperature?

A

37 degrees

3
Q

What is the set point for pH?

A

7.4

4
Q

What is the set point for plasma glucose?

A

5.5mM

5
Q

What is the set point for blood pressure?

A

120/80mmHg

6
Q

What is the set point for plasma osmolality?

A

300osmoles/kg

7
Q

What are the set points for PO2 and PCO2?

A
PO2 = 100mmHg
PCO2 = 40mmHg
8
Q

What happens when a variable deviates from the set point?

A

There is an error signal that activates a homeostatic mechanism to apply compensation

9
Q

What is a closed loop system?

A

When the change from the set point causes an error signal which activates a homeostatic mechanism which applies compensation and makes the variable back to set point and the changing of the variable back to set point then causes a negative feedback mechanism on the error signal and homeostatic mechanism

10
Q

What part of the brain is known as the homeostatic centre?

A

The hypothalamus

11
Q

What 4 things does the hypothalamus control?

A
  1. Body temperature
  2. Plasma osmolality
  3. Appetite/thirst
  4. Hormone release
12
Q

How does the ANS control homeostasis?

A

Through autonomic reflexes and hormones

13
Q

What two hormones are involved in regulating plasma glucose levels?

A

Insulin and glucagon

14
Q

What happens when plasma glucose exceeds 5.5mM?

A

Increased insulin secretion leads to an increased uptake of glucose into the tissue particullary by the liver in order to lower it back down to 5.5mM

15
Q

What happens when plasma glucose drops below 5.5mM?

A

Increase glucagon secretion leads to an increased release of glucose from the tissues espiecally the liver to raise plasma glucose back to 5.5mM

16
Q

What is low plasma glucose called?

A

Hypoglycemia

17
Q

What is high plasma glucose called?

A

Hyperglycemia

18
Q

Where are insulin and glucagon secreted from?

A

The pancreas

19
Q

What is absent in people with type one diabetes?

A

No insulin

20
Q

What does the absense of insulin mean for people with type 1 diabetes?

A

Means insulin is not causing the uptake of glucose into the tissues so in the fasted state there is no glucose to be release by glucagon so they need an injection of insulin

21
Q

How many spinal segments of the spinal chord are there and what regions are they in?

A
8 Cerivial
12 Thoracic
5 Lumbar
5 Sacral
30 in total
22
Q

What are baroreceptors?

A

Arterial stretch receptors in the walls of blood vessels

23
Q

What do baroreceptor detected?

A

Changes in arterial blood pressure

24
Q

What happens if arterial blood pressure falls?

A

Inhibition of the parasympathetic nervous system to stop the vagus never from inhibiting the heart and activation of the sympathetic nervous system which accelerates the heart beat and also causes vasoconstriction in order to raise the blood pressure back to normal

25
Q

What happens if arterial blood pressure rises?

A

Inhibition of the sympathetic nervous system to stop it accerlating the heart and to stop vasocontriction leading to vasodilitation as well are activation of the parasympathetic nervous system leads to increased firing of the vagus nerve to cause slowing of the heart to lower BP back to normal

26
Q

What is slowing of the heart otherwise known as?

A

Bradycardia

27
Q

How do the baroreceptor/arterial stretch receptors detect changes in blood pressure?

A

If blood pressure falls then the walls of the blood vessels containing the baroreceptor are stretched less and if blood pressure rises they are stretched more

28
Q

What cranial nucleus does the vagus nerve arises from?

A

The 10th cranial nucleus

29
Q

What is released by the pre-ganglionic fibres of the parasympathetic nervous system?

A

Acetylcholine

30
Q

Is the preganglionic fibre in the parasympathic nervous system long or short?

A

Long

31
Q

What is released by the post ganglionic fibres in the PNS?

A

Acetylcholine, nitric oxide and VIP

32
Q

Is the postganglionc fibre of the parasympathic nervous system long or short?

A

Short

33
Q

Where do the preganglionic and postganglionc fibres of the PNS meet?

A

A ganglion

34
Q

What is a ganglion?

A

A collection of nerve cells

35
Q

What is the action of the vagus nerve in the PNS?

A
  • Slow heart rate
  • Constrict bronchii
  • Increase secretions
36
Q

What are the actions of the pelvic nerve in the PNS?

A
  • Spinchter relaxation

- Colon and urinary contraction

37
Q

What do the preganglionic fibres of the sympathetic nervous system release?

A

Acetylcholine

38
Q

Are the preganglionic fibres of the sympathetic nervous system long or short?

A

Short

39
Q

Where do the preganglion fibres and the postganglion fibres synapse in the sympathetic nervous system?

A

The paravertebral ganglion/sympathetic chain ganglion

40
Q

Do all the preanglionic fibres go on to synapse at the ganglia?

A

No some extended to the adrenal medulla where they innverate it to produce adrenaline and noradrenaline

41
Q

What is the effect of adrenaline on skeletal muscle vasculature?

A

Vasodilitation

42
Q

What is the effect of noradrenaline on smooth muscle vasculature?

A

Vasoconstriction

43
Q

What are the actions of the sympathetic nervous system?

A
  1. Increase heart rate
  2. Relax bronchial smooth muscle
  3. Inhibit secretions
  4. Inhibit bladder and colon contraction
  5. Inhibit sphincter relaxation
  6. Sweating