5.1 - Communication and Homeostatis Flashcards
Explain why multicellular organisms require communication systems
Organisms need to respond to internal/external changes for survival
- Occurs through the nervous system and hormones in animals
- Occurs through hormones in plants
- Different cells rely on others for materials and removal of waste
- Different organs work together to ensure homeostasis
e.g. brain and skin in temperature control - Cells communicate through cell signalling
List changes to the internal environment that would require a response
- Blood glucose concentration
- Internal temperature
- Water potential
- Cell pH
List changes to the external environment that would require a response
- Humidity
- External temperature
- Light intensity
- Sudden sounds
Describe how cells are able to communicate with one another
- Cell releases a chemical
- Which has an effect on target cell
Outline cell signalling between adjacent cells in animals
Chemicals diffuse from one cell to another
- e.g. neurotransmitters across a synapse
Outline cell signalling between distant cells in animals
Hormones carried by blood to target organ(s)
- e.g. ADH secreted by pituitary gland, acts on kidney cells
What do plant cells use for communication?
Plant hormones
e.g. auxins
Define homeostatis
Maintaining stable internal environment
- Even though environment is changing
- Using negative feedback mechanisms
- Involves hormonal or nervous control
Give examples of homeostasis
- Thermoregulation (controlling body temperature)
- Blood pH
- Blood glucose
- Osmoregulation (water levels)
Define receptor
Detects changes in internal and external environment of an organism
Define effector
Muscles or glands that bring about a change in response to a stimulus
Define positive feedback
- Change in internal environment detected by receptors
- Effectors stimulated to reinforce and amplify response
- End products stimulate effectors to increases response
- e.g. blood clotting cascade
Define negative feedback
- Small change in one direction detected by sensory receptors
- Effectors work to reverse the change and restore conditions
- Conditions restored to base level
- Involved in homeostasis
- e.g. control of blood glucose concentration by insulin and glucagon
Define thermoregulation
Maintenance of a constant core body temperature
Why is thermoregulation important?
Maintains optimum temperature for enzyme activity