Science Sem 1 Test Flashcards
(120 cards)
Define homeostasis
The process where an organism maintains a stable internal environment despite changes to the external environment.
What is the stimulus response pathway?
Stimulus - Receptor - Control Centre - Effectors - Response
Explain stimulus
A change in internal or external environment that triggers a response. It is a piece of information that
the receptors detect when it changes.
Explain Receptors
Specialised cells or organs that detect the stimulus. Converts the stimulus to electrical or chemical signals which are sent to the CNS. There are different types of receptors.
Explain Control Centre
In a human the CC is usually the brain (hypothalamus) or the spinal chord. It processes the information received from the receptors and decides the appropriate response. It signals the Effectors of this response.
Explain Effectors
Muscles, glands or organs that carry out the response directed by the control centre.
Explain Response
Action or change in behavior that occurs as a result of the stimulus. Aimed at restoring homeostasis or protecting the body.
Types of sensory (broad) receptors
Vision, touch, smell, hearing, taste
Types of Body Receptors
Chemoreceptors
Mechanoreceptors
Photoreceptors
Thermoreceptors
Olfactory Receptors
Nociceptor
Explain chemoreceptors
Located in blood vessels or the brain
Stimulus it detects are changes in blood chemistry (oxygen, pH levels, CO2).
Explain Mechanoreceptors
Located in the skin, muscles, joints and the inner ear.
Stimulus it detects is touch/pressure/stretching and sound.
Touch + hear
Explain Photoreceptors
Located in the retina of the eye.
Stimulus it detects is light energy.
Vision
Explain Thermoceptors
Located in skin and brain.
Stimulus it detects is a change in external/internal temperature.
Touch
Explain Olfactory Receptors
Located in the nose
Stimulus it detects are chemicals in the air (smells)
Smell
Explain the Gustatory Receptors
Located in taste buds on the tongue
Stimulus it detects are the chemicals in food/drink (taste)
Taste
Explain Nociceptors
Located in the skin, muscles, joints and organs
Stimulus it detects is tissue damage (e.g. hot or cold temperatures causing burns and also pressure it can detect).
Aka pain receptors
Touch
Why is homeostasis important for survival?
Regulates blood oxygen and pH levels which are critical for survival and would not be regulated without the process of homeostasis.
Compare negative feedback to positive feedback
Negative feedback (decelerating mechanism) is the body’s biological control mechanism that reverses internal environments that are abnormal and reverses them to their normal state. Aims to restore homeostasis through counteracting the stimulus. E.g. body temp rising and high glucose
Positive feedback (accelerating mechanism) amplifies the stimulus to move it further from balance. This is to speed up processes like childbirth and the healing of wounds where scabs form. Things are produced inside body like platelets or oxytocin to amplify the stimulus.
Both are control mechanisms to help regulate processes or maintain balance.
Factors our body must keep balanced include:
- pH levels
- blood glucose levels
- blood oxygen levels
- internal temperature
- water levels
What is the Stimulus Response Pathway for running around outside in hot weather and then sweating and turning red because of it?
Increased external environment temperature - thermoreceptors detect stimulus - hypothalamus receives the information about the external temperature rising - sweat glands and blood vessels dilate and move around - causes red skin and sweating which drops the internal body temperature to homeostasis.
What is the pH of the extracellular fluid inside humans?
7.35-7.45
How can the respiratory system control the extracellular pH?
By regulating the amount of C02 in the blood. Negative feedback reverses high pH levels (lower numbers) by dissolving more C02 into the blood. Lower pH’s are more acidic. When C02 dissolves into the blood, it forms carbonic acid which lowers pH.
The respiratory system can hyperventilate - breathe faster - to allow more C02 to enter the body to lower pH levels. Then it can hypoventilate - breathe slower - to allow less C02 to enter the body, resulting in a higher pH, restoring balance and homeostasis.
Define extracellular
Anything outside of the cells. E.g. plasma or interstitial fluid
Explain why the sensitivity of areas of the skin may be more/less sensitive when in relation to the body part’s function. Mention the distribution of receptors.
More sensitive parts of the body (such as hands and fingers) have more thermoreceptors, mechanoreceptors and nociceptors, to detect touch. This is needed because we use our hands for everything everyday so to keep them protected, we have lots of touch receptors there to warn our body when they get too hot or when changes in the external environment are too extreme.
Less sensitive areas, like the back or upper arms, have fewer touch receptors since they are not used for fine tasks or frequent interaction. With less need for protection, they have fewer thermoreceptors, mechanoreceptors, and nociceptors, making them less sensitive.