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Nervous System Flashcards

(49 cards)

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1
Q

What is homeostasis?

A

The regulation of internal conditions to maintain a stable internal environment.

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2
Q

Why is homeostasis important?

A

Maintains a stable environment for enzyme activity and cell function.

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3
Q

Examples of homeostasis?

A
  • Core body temperature
  • Blood glucose
  • Water balance
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4
Q

How does the body respond to increased temperature?

A
  • Sweat (evaporation cools body)
  • Vasodilation (more blood flow to skin)
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5
Q

How does the body respond to decreased temperature?

A
  • Shivering (muscle activity produces heat)
  • Vasoconstriction (less blood flow to skin)
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6
Q

What is osmoregulation?

A

Regulation of water and salt levels in the body.

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7
Q

What happens if the body has too much water?

A

Kidneys produce more dilute urine.

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8
Q

What happens if the body has too little water?

A

Kidneys produce more concentrated urine.

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9
Q

What happens if blood glucose is too high?

A

Pancreas releases insulin → Glucose → Glycogen (stored in liver).

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10
Q

What happens if blood glucose is too low?

A

Pancreas releases glucagon → Glycogen → Glucose (released into blood).

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11
Q

What is thermoregulation?

A

Maintenance of body temperature within a stable range.

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12
Q

How does the body cool down?

A
  • Sweating
  • Vasodilation (more blood to skin = more heat loss)
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13
Q

How does the body warm up?

A
  • Shivering
  • Vasoconstriction (less blood to skin = less heat loss)
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14
Q

What are the two main communication systems in mammals?

A
  • Nervous system
  • Endocrine system
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15
Q

How does the nervous system work?

A

Electrical impulses through neurons → Fast but short-term response.

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16
Q

How does the endocrine system work?

A

Hormones in the blood → Slow but long-term response.

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17
Q

Nervous System vs Hormonal System?

A

Nervous System | Hormonal System |
|—————-|—————-|
| Electrical impulses | Chemical messengers (hormones) |
| Fast response | Slow response |
| Short-lived effect | Long-lasting effect |
| Travels through neurons | Travels through blood |
| Specific target | More general effect |

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18
Q

What is a coordinated response?

A

A process where the body detects and responds to a stimulus.

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19
Q

Steps of a coordinated response?

A
  • Stimulus – Change in the environment
  • Receptor – Detects the stimulus
  • Coordinator – Brain/spinal cord processes information
  • Effector – Muscle or gland carries out the action
  • Response – Action taken to correct the change
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20
Q

What is a synapse?

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A

A gap between two neurons where signals are transmitted chemically.

21
Q

How do neurotransmitters work?

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A
  • Electrical impulse reaches the synapse
  • Vesicles release neurotransmitters
  • Neurotransmitters cross the synapse
  • Bind to receptors on the next neuron
  • New electrical impulse generated
22
Q

Why are synapses important?

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A

Ensure one-way transmission of signals.

23
Q

What is a reflex arc?

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A

An automatic, rapid response to a stimulus.

24
Q

Example of a reflex arc?

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A

Withdrawing a finger from a hot object.

25
Steps of a reflex arc?
* Stimulus → Heat * Sensory neuron → Sends signal to spinal cord * Relay neuron → Processes information * Motor neuron → Sends signal to muscle * Response → Muscle contracts → Finger pulled away
26
Why are reflex arcs fast?
They bypass the brain and go through the spinal cord.
27
Cornea function?
Refracts light to focus it on the retina.
28
Pupil function?
Hole where light enters the eye.
29
Iris function?
Controls size of pupil.
30
Lens function?
Focuses light onto the retina.
31
Retina function?
Contains rods (black & white) and cones (colour) to detect light.
32
Optic nerve function?
Sends electrical signals to the brain.
33
Ciliary muscles function?
Adjust the shape of the lens.
34
Suspensory ligaments function?
Connect ciliary muscles to the lens.
35
How does the eye focus on near objects?
Ciliary muscles contract → Suspensory ligaments slacken → Lens thickens → Strong refraction.
36
How does the eye focus on distant objects?
Ciliary muscles relax → Suspensory ligaments tighten → Lens thins → Weak refraction.
37
Why does the lens need to be thicker for near objects?
To bend light more for a focused image.
38
How does the eye adjust to bright light?
Iris contracts → Pupil shrinks → Less light enters.
39
How does the eye adjust to dim light?
Iris relaxes → Pupil widens → More light enters.
40
Main parts of the CNS?
* Brain * Spinal cord
41
Role of sensory neurons?
Carry signals from receptors to the CNS.
42
Role of relay neurons?
Pass signals within the CNS.
43
Role of motor neurons?
Carry signals from the CNS to effectors.
44
What factors are controlled by homeostasis?
* Temperature * Blood glucose * Water levels * Blood pH * Respiratory gases
45
What is the difference between nervous and hormonal communication?
* Nervous = fast, short-term, electrical * Hormonal = slow, long-term, chemical
46
Pathway of a reflex arc?
* Stimulus * Receptor * Sensory Neuron * CNS * Relay Neuron * Motor Neuron * Effector * Response
47
What happens at a synapse?
* Electrical impulse → Neurotransmitter → New electrical impulse
48
How does the eye focus on near and distant objects?
* Near = Lens thickens, ciliary muscles contract * Distant = Lens thins, ciliary muscles relax
49
How does the eye adjust to light levels?
* Bright light = Pupil shrinks * Dim light = Pupil widens

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