Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

GCSE Biology > B12 - Homeostasis in action > Flashcards

B12 - Homeostasis in action Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
GCSE Geography - AQA flashcards AP® Biology flashcards GCSE Religious Studies - Edexcel Route B flashcards GCSE Religious Studies - Eduqas Route A flashcards GCSE Religious Studies - Edexcel Route A flashcards GCSE Religious Studies - Eduqas Route B flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

What is the optimum temperature in the body

A

37 degrees

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Why is controlling body temperature important

A

to make sure enzymes work

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are three things that cause internal body temperature to change

A

fevers from disease, transfer of energy during exercise, change in external temperature

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What part of the body controls temperature
- where is it

A

thermoregulatory centre
- hypothalamus in brain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

how does the thermoregulatory centre get information about the temperature of the skin

A

temperature receptors in the skin that send impulses to the thermoregulatory centre

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

How does the body cool down

A
  • vasodilation happens
  • more sweat is produced as energy is transferred to the environment
  • hairs lie flat
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is vasodilation

A

when capillaries near the skin get bigger to allow for more blood flow

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is vasoconstriction

A

capillaries close to skin get smaller so less blood flows

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

How does the body keep warm when it is cold outside

A

vasoconstriction
- no sweat
- shivering which required energy to be transferred

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the two main poisonous waste products

A

urea and carbon dioxide

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How is carbon dioxide produced in the body

A

respiration

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Why must carbon dioxide in the body
- how is it removed

A

dissolved carbon dioxide produces an acidic solution that affects enzymes
- using a concentration gradient to the lungs, then it is exhaled

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is urea

A

the nitrogenous water produced by the breakdown of excess amino acids in your liver

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

How is urea moved from the body

A

it passes from the liver cells into the blood. it is filtered out of blood by the kidneys and passed out in urine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the three ways water is lost from the body

A

breathing, sweat, urine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Why is urine produced

A

to balance water and mineral concentrations, to remove urea

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

are
-exhalation
- sweat
- urine
controlled water loss

A

exhalation and seat are not, urine is

18
Q

What happens if body cells lose or gain too much water

A

they do not function efficiently

19
Q

What is the function of the kidneys

A

remove toxins from blood and maintain the water balance

20
Q

What do kidneys do if you drink too little / much water

A

little - concentrated urine is produced, water is conserved
lots - dilute urine is produced with lots of water

21
Q

How are mineral ions excreted

A

through urine, sweat

22
Q

How do the kidneys work

A
  • glucose, mineral ions, urea and water move out of blood into kidney
  • around 99% goes back to blood, rest becomes urine
  • this trickles down into bladder
23
Q

What blood vessel brings blood to the kidney

A

renal artery

24
Q

What blood vessel brings blood to the kidney

A

renal vein

25
Q

Why do blood cells and proteins not enter the kidneys

A

too big to leave the blood

26
Q

What happens to the substances taken in by the kidney

A

all the glucose is reabsorbed
- water and minerals are reabsorbed based on what is necessary
- all urea is excreted

27
Q

What is the process of controlled amounts of water and minerals being reabsorbed called

A

selective reabsorption

28
Q

What type of system controls the amount of water in the blood
- Which hormone does it involve

A

negative feedback system
- ADH Anti-diuretic hormone)

29
Q

How does the system of water balance in the body work

A
  • if the blood is too concentrated with solutes, the pituitary gland releases lots of ADH
    -this makes the kidneys reabsorb more water
  • If it is too dilute less ADH is produced
  • large volume of dilute urine is produced
30
Q

Why do kidneys fail

A

accidents, genetic problems

31
Q

What is the effect of not having functioning kidneys

A

toxins such as urea build up and damage cells

32
Q

What are the two effective methods of treating kidney failure

A

dialysis
kidney transplant

33
Q

What is dialysis

A

a process where the kidney’s function is done artificially

34
Q

How does a dialysis machine work

A

blood leaves the body and flows between a partially permeable membrane
- on the other side is dialysis fluid with the same concentration of useful substances
- there is no net movement of substances such as glucose
- excess substances are removed via diffusion down a concentration gradient

35
Q

How long do dialysis sessions tend to last

A

around 8 hours, a few times a week

36
Q

What are the drawbacks of dialysis

A

a very controlled diet is needed, with a relatively low protein intake

  • long time must be spent at a dialysis machine
  • the balance only lasts a relatively short time so you might feel unwell
  • over years keeping balance can get harder
  • causes damage to the body
37
Q

Why are organs sometimes rejected

A

the donor’s antigens are different to the recipients so the immune system might attack it

38
Q

How can the risk of rejection be reduced

A
  • similar antigens
  • immunosuppressants
39
Q

What is the issue with using immunosuppressants

A

they prevent the patient from dealing with normal diseases so they feel more ill

40
Q

What are the drawbacks of having a kidney transplant

A
  • won’t last forever
  • long waiting lists
  • requires immunosuppressants
41
Q

What are the advantages of dialysis

A
  • much more available
42
Q

What are the advantages of having a kidney transplant

A
  • can have a normal life
  • less expensive than dialysis

GCSE Biology (19 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions