Animal responses Flashcards
how and why do animals increase their chances of survival?
- by responding to changes in their external environment, e.g. by avoiding harmful environments such as places that are too hot or too cold.
- They also respond to changes in their internal environment to make sure that the conditions are always optimal for their metabolism (all the chemical reactions that go on inside them).
what is a stimulus?
any change in the internal and external environment.
what systems in animals need to be coordinated for animals to be able to respond to stimulus?
the nervous system, hormonal system and muscles.
what is the difference between receptors and effectors?
receptors detect stimuli and effectors bring about a response to a stimulus.
what do effectors include + give examples?
effectors include muscle cells and cells found in glands, e.g. the pancreas.
how do the receptors communicate with effectors?
via the nervous system or the hormonal (endocrine) system, or sometimes using both..
what are the systems that coordinate a response?
the nervous and hormonal systems.
what are the 2 main structural systems that the nervous system splits into?
-the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system.
what is the CNS made up of?
the brain and spinal cord.
what is the peripheral nervous system made up of?
neurones that connect the CNS to the rest of the body.
what are the 2 different functional systems of the peripheral nervous system?
the somatic and autonomic nervous system.
what does the somatic nervous system control + give examples?
-controls conscious activities -e.g. running and playing video games
what does the autonomic nervous system control + give examples?
-controls unconscious activities -e.g- digestion and heart rate
what is the autonomic nervous system split into + give examples?
the autonomic nervous system is split into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, which have opposite effects on the body.
what is the sympathetic nervous system?
the sympathetic nervous system is the ‘fight or flight’ system that gets the body ready for action.
what does the sympathetic nerurones release?
sympathetic neurones release the neurotransmitter noradrenaline.
what is the parasympathetic system?
-its the ‘rest and digest’ system that calms the body down
what does the parasympathetic neurones release?
-they release the neurotransmitter acetylcholine
draw a diagram summarising the organisation of the nervous system
insert pic from page 353 CGP bottom
describe and state the function of cerebrum (5)
- the cerebrum is the largest part of the brain.
- its divided into 2 halves called cerebral hemispheres.
- the cerebrum has a thin outer layer called the cerebral cortex, which is highly folded.
- the cerebrum is involved in vision, hearing, learning and thinking.
- controls voluntary actions, such as learning, memory, personality, and conscious thought.
describe and state the function of hypothalamus (5)
- the hypothalamus is found just beneath the middle part of the brain.
- it automatically maintains body temperature at the normal level
- it also produces hormones that control the pituitary gland
- monitoring the composition of blood plasma
- regulatory centre for temperature and water balance
describe and state the function of medulla oblangata
- the medulla oblangata is at the base of the brain, at the top of the spinal cord
- it automatically controls breathing rate and heart rate
- used in autonomic control, for example, it controls heart rate and breathing rate
describe and state the function of cerebellum
- the cerebellum is underneath the cerebrum as it’s also a folded cortex
- its important for muscle coordination, posture and coordination of balance
- controls unconscious functions such as posture, balance and non-voluntary movement.
describe and state the function of pituitary gland
- the pituitary gland is found beneath (and is controlled by) the hypothalamus.
- it releases hormones and stimulates other gland, - e.g.- the adrenal glands, to release their hormones
- stores and releases hormones that regulate many body functionsF