B5 - Homeostasis (P2) Flashcards
What is homeostasis
The regulation of internal conditions of a cell organism to maintain optimum conditions for function in response to internal and external changes
What systems does homeostasis consist of
Automatic control systems
What are the features of an automatic control system
- Receptor cells
- Coordination Centre
- Effectors
What is the role of receptor cells
Detect a stimulus
What’s the role of the coordination centre
Receive and process information from receptor cells
What’s the role of effectors
Muscle or glands which carry out a response
What does the nervous system consist of
- The central nervous system (CNS)
- Other nerves which run to and from the central nervous system
What does the CNS consist of
Brain and spinal cord
What is stage one of the reflex arc
A stimulus is detected by a receptor
What is stage two of the reflex arc
Electrical impulses pass from the receptor along a sensory neurone to the CNS
What is stage three of the reflex arc
A chemical is released by the synapse which diffuses across the relay neurone in the CNS where it triggers an electrical impulse
What is stage four of the reflex arc
Electrical impulses pass across the relay neurone where a synapse releases chemicals which triggers an electrical impulse in a motor neurone
What is stage five on the reflex arc
The impulse passes down the motor neurone to an effector to create a response
What’s the features of reflexes
Fast and automatic
Why are reflexes rapid and automatic
To protect against danger
What is the endocrine system
A system composed of glands which secrete hormones directly in the bloodstream
What’s the role of the brain
Control complex behaviour
 What’s the function of the cerebral cortex
Conscious thought for example language and memory
What is the function of the hypothalamus
Control temperature
What is the function of the medulla
Controls subconscious movements for example heart rate and breathing rate
What is the function of the cerebellum
Control coordination, movement and balance
What’s the function of the iris
Control how much light enters the eye
What is the function of the cornea and lens
Refract light to focus on the retina
What’s the function of the optic nerve
Carry impulses between the eye and the brain