Control in the Human Body Flashcards
What 4 internal conditions are controlled?
Water content of the body, ion content of the body, temperature, blood sugar levels
How does water leave the body?
Via the lungs when we breathe out, via the skin when we sweat to cool us down
How does excess water leave the body?
Via the kidneys in urine
How are ions lost in the body?
Via sweat and excess via the kidneys in urine
Why is temperature controlled?
To maintain the temperature at which enzymes work best
Why are blood sugar levels controlled?
To provide cells with a constant supply of energy
What are hormones secreted by?
Glands
What are many processes within the body coordinated by?
Hormones
How are hormones transported to their target organs?
By the bloodstream
What do hormones regulate the functions of?
Many organs and cells
Give an example of hormones regulating the functions of organs and cells
During the monthly release of an egg from a woman’s ovaries
Where are FSH and LH secreted from?
Pituitary gland
Where does oestrogen come from?
Ovaries
What 2 things does FSH do?
Causes eggs to mature in the ovaries, and stimulates the ovaries to produce oestrogen
What does LH do?
Stimulates the release of an egg from the ovary
What does oestrogen do?
Inhibits further production of FSH
What may oral contraceptives contain? Why?
Oestrogen and progesterone- inhibit egg maturation
What did the first birth-control pills contain lots of?
Oestrogen- resulting in women suffering significant side effects
What does progesterone-only pills lead to?
Fewer side effects
What do birth-control pills now contain low doses of?
Oestrogen
What are women having IVF given? Why?
FSH and LH to stimulate the maturation of several eggs
After the eggs are matured, what happens to them?
They are collected from the mother and fertilised by sperm from the father
What do the fertilised eggs develop into?
Embryos
What’s the next stage of IVF after embryos are developed?
One or two embryos are inserted into the mother’s uterus
What are the 2 types of drug that hormones are used in?
Oral contraceptives (oestrogen and progesterone), and fertility drugs (LH and FSH)
Who are given fertility drugs?
Women whose own level of FSH is too low to stimulate eggs to mature
