Year 11 Flashcards
(101 cards)
What is homeostasis
Homeostasis is the regulation of the internal conditions of a cell or organism to mantain optimum conditions for function in response to internal or external changes
How is homeostasis controlled
Homeostasis is controlled by the control systems in the body .These could be endocrine or nervous systems
How are endrocrine and nervous responses controlled
Endocrine responses are controlled by hormones travelling through the bloodstream
Nervous responses are controlled by electrical impulses moving through nerve cells
What is a neuron
A neuron is a nerve cell. There are three types neuron : sensory neurons,relay neurons and motor neurons
How is the structure of the neuron adapted for its function
- Thin projections called dendrites extend from the body cell to connect with other neurones, allowing electrical impulses to pass from one neuron to another neuron
- The axons of most neurons are insulated by a layer called the myelin sheath that ensurses impulses travel rapidly along the axin
What is the nervous systems response to a stimulus
Stimulus –>receptor(stimulus converted to an electrical impulse) —>Sensory neuron —> CNS—> relay neuron—>CNS—>motor neuron—> effector (muscle/gland)—>response
What is the synapse
The synapse is the gap between 2 neurons
How is an electrical impulse transmitted along the synapse
- The electrical impulse reaches the end of the first neuron
- This stimulates the first neuron to release neurotransmitter chemicals
- The neurotransmitter chemicals diffuse across the synapse
- The neurotransmitter chemicals bind to receptors on the second neuron
- This binding or receptor and neurotransmitter chemicals stimulatss the second neuron to transmit an electrical impulse (with the same message as first one ) along its axon
What is a reflex action
A reflex action is an inbuilt , involuntry , protective response
What is the reflex arc
The reflex arc is the nerve path when the response is a reflex action
The electrical impulse goes to the spinal cord rather than going to the brainin the reflex arc
Why are reflex actions important
Reflex actions are important as they are fast,automatic and protective
What is the cerebal cortex responsible for
The cerebal cortex is responisble for memory, consciousness,language and intellegence
What is the cerebellum responsible for
The cerebellum is responsible for co-ordination of muscular activity
What is the medulla responsible for
The medulla is responsbile for unconscious activity such as breathing or heartbeat
Why is analysing brain function and treating brain damage and disease difficult
Analysing the brain and treating brain damage and disease is difficult because :
- The brain is complex and delicate
- The brain is easily damage
- Drugs taken to treat diseases may not reach the brain because of the membranes surrounding it
- It is not fully understood which part of the brain is responsible for what
How can neuroscientists map out areas of the brain and their functions
- Neuroscientist can map out areas of the brain and their functions by studying patients with brain damage
- Observing the changes following damage to a certain part of the brain can provide informatiob on what that part of the brain does
How else can neuroscientists map out different areas of the brain and their functions
Neuroscientist can map out different parts of the brain and their functions by electrically stimulating different parts of the brain.
-This involves pushing an electrode into a part of the brain. There may be physical or mental changes in the individual based on the electrical stimulation,providing evidence of what the role of that area of the brain is
How else can neuroscientists map out the brain and its functions
Neuroscientists can use magnetic resonance imaging to produce a detailed image of the brain. MRI uses strong magnetic fields and radiowaves to produce a detailed images of inside the body e.g the brain. They can be used to show which part of the brain is active during certian activities
What is the function of the cornea
The cornea bends/refracts light onto the lens
What is the function of the lens
The lens has a convex shape to refract light onto the retina
What is the function of the sclera
The sclera is the white outer part of the eye which supports the structures inside the eye. It is strong to prevent damage to the eye
What is the iris and what is its function ?
The iris is the coloured part of the eye. It is a muscle that surrounds the pupil. It contracts or relaxes to alter the size of the pupil
What is the pupil ?
The pupil is a hole in the iris that allows light to enter the eye
What is the retina
The retina is a layer of light sensitive cells at the back of the eye. It contains light receptor cells . Light stimulates these cells and then impulses are sent to the brain