B5 Flashcards
What is homeostasis?
The regulation of a constant internal environment 
In humans, what does homeostasis regulate?
Blood glucose (sugar) levels, the body temperature, CO2 levels and water levels
What are the two automatic control systems that regulate the bodies constant internal environment?
Nervous system and endocrine system
What is a stimulus?
Information about the environment
What is information about the environment detected by?
Receptor
The information detected by the receptor is processed by what
The central coordination system
What are the steps of the nervous path?
Stimulus receptor, censoring neuron, CNS motor neuron, effector, and response
Example of effectors are
Muscles or glands
Where is the putuitary gland? 
In the brain
What is a reflex?
A fast automatic response to a particular stimulus, which may be harmful to the organism
Why are reflexes quick?
Because there is no conscious thought, or process to deliver their response 
What is the pathway which carries the information about a reflex action called?
Reflex arc
What are hormones?
Chemical messengers transported in the bloodstream to an effector where they can activate a response
What is the speed, duration and target area of neurons (nervous system)?
-speed is fast duration is short and target area is specific
What is the speed, duration and target area of hormones?
The speed is slow. The duration is long and the target area is general.
What is the piturity gland?
Produces a range of hormones, including FSH and LH
What is type one diabetes?
When the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to control the blood sugar levels, so the levels become higher than normal
How is type one diabetes usually treated?
Injections of insulin
What is type two diabetes?
Disorder of effective cells, which no longer respond to the hormones released from the pancreas
How is type two diabetes managed?
Through lifestyle choices, such as maintaining a carbohydrate controlled diet and a regular exercise
What is oestrogen and where is it produced?
Is the main reproductive hormone in females and is produced in the ovaries
What is testosterone and where is it produced?
Main reproductive hormone in males. It is produced in the testes and this hormone stimulates the production of sperm.
What does the pancreas do?
Is the organ and gland which monitors and regulates the blood glucose levels
What happens if the blood glucose concentration becomes too low?
Pancreas releases glucagon, which acts on the liver and muscles to cause the stored glycogen to be converted back into glucose and released in the bloodstream
What happens if the blood glucose concentration becomes too high?
Pancreas releases insulin which causes the cells to absorb glucose, liver and muscles, convert the glucose into glycogen to be stored
What are the four main reproductive hormones of the menstrual cycle?
- follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
- oestrogen
- luteinising hormone (LH)
- progesterone