Paper 2 Flashcards
(160 cards)
Homeostasis
An organisms ability to regulate its internal conditions so crucial reactions can occur at optimal rates
What needs to be regulated in the body?
Blood glucose concentration
Internal temperature
Water levels
Explain how reflex actions work
- Receptor in the skin detects a stimulus
- Sensory neurone sends electrical impulses to relay neurone, which are located in the spinal cord. They connect sensory neurones to motor neurones.
- signals travel across synapses via neurotransmitter chemical
- Motor neurone sends electrical impulses to an effector.
- Effector produces a response
How do glands work as effectors?
They secrete chemicals
Reaction time practical
- drop ruler between finger and thumb
- measure distance fallen before caught- repeat, find a mean
- independent variable- stimulant increases neurotransmission, depressant decreases neurotransmission
Cerebral cortex
Front of brain
Higher functions
Memory, speech, problem solving
Cerebellum
Back
Motor skills
Movement, balance, coordination
Medulla oblongata
Stick at back of brain
Unconscious activity
Heart and breathing rate, signals to adrenal glands to release adrenaline
What allows doctors to see brain activity?
MRI scans
What happens to focus on near objects?
Ciliary muscles contract
Suspensory ligaments loosen
Lens thickens
What happens to focus on a distant object?
Ciliary muscles relax
Suspensory ligaments tighten
Lens is thinner
what do rods detect
light intensity
what are cones sensitive to
red, blue or green wavelengths of light
myopia
short sightedness
hyperopia
long sightedness
treatments for eyesight
glasses, contact lenses, laser eye surgery, lens replacement
how does thermoregulation work?
brain detects blood temperature then sends nervous and hormonal signals to effectors
how does the body respond to being too hot?
sweat glands produce water which evaporates, removing heat
blood vessels widen- vasodilation- increases blood flow to skin, increases rate of heat loss
how does the body respond to being too cold?
hairs stand on end to trap air
shivering- muscles produce more heat
blood vessels contract- vasoconstriction - decreases blood flow to skin, decreasing rate of heat loss
endocrine system
system of glands that secrete hormones to send signals to effectors, transported via blood which is slower than the nervous system
pituitary gland
“master” gland which sends signals to other glands
pancreas
produces insulin and glucagon to control blood sugar
testes
produces sperm
ovaries
release eggs and secrete hormones