P2- Homeostasis and response Flashcards
(165 cards)
What is homeostasis?
Homeostasis is the regulation of the internal conditions of a cell or organism to maintain optimum conditions for function in response to internal and external changes.
Two examples of automatic control systems
Chemical (hormonal) and Nervous sytem
Examples of internal body conditions
Body temperature, blood sugar levels, blood pH, water concentration
What are the three main components of the automatic control system?
Receptor, effector and coordination centre
What is a receptor?
A cell that detects a stimulus
What is the coordination centre?
Receives and processes the information and organises a response
What is an effector?
The muscle (nervous) or gland (chemical) that produces a response to restore the optimum level by counteracting the change
What is a stimulus?
A change in environment
What are hormones?
Chemical messengers which are used in the body by the endocrine system, co-ordinate our organs and are produced by the glands.
What is the endocrine system?
Composed of glands which secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream
What is the blood’s role in the endocrine system?
Carry the hormones to a target organ where it produces an effect
Examples of what hormones control
Growth, sexual development, sugar levels, mood, metabolism
Which gland in the brain is the ‘Master Gland’?
Pituitary gland
What does the nervous system allow us to do?
The nervous system allows us to detect and react to changes in the environment. Humans can react to their surroundings and coordinate their behaviour
What are the 4 parts of the Nervous system?
Central nervous system (CNS), Sensory neurone, motor neurone and effector
What is the role of the Central Nervous (CNS)?
A coordination centre which receives information from the receptor and coordinates a response (which is carried out by the effector)
What is the Central Nervous system (CNS) made up of?
Brain and spinal cord only
What is the role of the sensory neurone?
Carry information as electrical impulses from the receptors to the CNS
What is the role of the motor neurone?
Carry information electrical impulses from the CNS to the effectors
What is a synapse?
The connection between two neurones where the impulses need to pass through
How does a synapse work?
1) When an electrical impulse reaches the end of an axon entering the synapse, the axon releases chemicals.
2) The chemicals diffuse across the gap.
3) These chemicals then set off a new electrical signal in the next neurone
What are reflexes?
Rapid, automatic responses to certain stimuli that don’t involve the conscious part of the brain
What is a benefit of having reflexes?
They can reduce the chances of injury
Give an example of one of your body’s reflexes that reduce injury
Your pupils automatically get smaller when bright light is shone on them to prevent the pupils getting damaged