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biology gcse paper 2 > coordination in humans > Flashcards

coordination in humans Flashcards

1
Q

give the name of the body’s coordination system which involves hormones

A

the endocrine system

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2
Q

what is a hormone?

A

a chemical messenger secreted by a gland. It travels in the blood to a target organ where it produces a response

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3
Q

what type of organ secretes hormones?

A

glands

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4
Q

what are the differences between the endocrine and nervous systems?

A
  • in the NS, electrical impulses travel down neurones but the endocrine system uses hormones which are chemicals that travel via bloodstream
  • signalling in the NS is extremely fast but the endocrine system produces a slower effect that is longer lasting
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5
Q

which gland controls many other glands in the body ?

A

the pituitary gland

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6
Q

why is the pituitary gland considered the ‘master gland’?

A

secretes several hormones into the blood in response to body conditions. These hormones in turn act on other glands to stimulate other hormones to be
released to bring about effects.

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7
Q

what is the role of the pituitary gland in the endocrine system?

A
  • secretes growth hormone, controls human growth
  • stimulates the thyroid gland
  • stimulates ovulation and production of oestrogen in the ovaries
  • stimulates the production of sperm and testosterone in the testes
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8
Q

what is the role of the thyroid gland in the endocrine system?

A

secretes the hormone thyroxine —> controls metabolism, heart rate and body temperature

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9
Q

what is the role of the pancreas in the endocrine system?

A

secretes the hormone insulin - controls blood glucose levels

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10
Q

what is the role of the adrenal gland in the endocrine system?

A

secretes adrenaline - controls the body’s ‘fight or flight’ response

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11
Q

which organ monitors and controls blood glucose concentration?

A

the pancreas

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12
Q

how does the pancreas respond when blood glucose levels are too high?

A

the pancreas secretes the hormone insulin. Insulin binds to receptors on the liver and muscles, excess glucose converted into glycogen and stored.

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13
Q

how does the pancreas respond when blood glucose levels are too low?

A

the pancreas secretes the hormone glucagon. Glucagon binds to liver cells, causing glycogen to be converted into glucose and released into the blood

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14
Q

how is blood glucose concentration controlled using a negative feedback loop?

A
  • when the blood glucose concentration rises or falls below the optimum, a hormone is secreted by the pancreas
  • the action of either hormone (insulin or glucagon) bring back the concentration to the correct level
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15
Q

what is type 1 diabetes?

A
  • an autoimmune disorder in which the pancreas does not produce sufficient insulin to control the blood glucose concentration
  • as a result, blood glucose levels are often very high, leading to excessive urination, tiredness and weight loss
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16
Q

how can type 1 diabetes be treated?

A
  • insulin injections before meals - allow glucose to be converted into glycogen
  • limiting carbohydrate intake
  • regular exercise
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17
Q

what is type 2 diabetes?

A

a disorder in which the body’s cells stop responding to insulin, leading to an uncontrolled blood glucose concentration. Obesity and increasing age are risk factors

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18
Q

how can type 2 diabetes be treated?

A
  • following a carefully controlled diet ( low carb diet )
  • doing regular exercise
  • losing weight
  • use of drugs which increase insulin production and effectiveness
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19
Q

in what ways are ions lost from the body?

A
  • sweating
  • urine ( some reabsorbed in the kidney)
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20
Q

in what ways is water lost from the body?

A
  • during exhalation via the lungs
  • sweating
  • urine (some reabsorbed in the kidney)
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21
Q

how are excess amino acids excreted from the body?

A
  • excess amino acids are deaminated in the liver to form ammonia
  • ammonia is toxic, therefore converted into urea
  • urea is excreted from the body via sweat and urine
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22
Q

how do the kidneys maintain the balance of water and other substances in the body?

A
  • filter blood in order to remove waste products e.g. urea
  • selectively reabsorbed useful molecules e.g. glucose, water, ions
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23
Q

what is the full name of the hormone ADH?

A

anti-diuretic hormone

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24
Q

where is ADH secreted in the body?

A

the pituitary gland of the brain

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25
how does ADH affect the reabsorption of water in the kidneys?
-when the blood is too concentrated, the pituitary gland secretes more ADH - ADH travels in the bloodstream to the kidney and increases the permeability of kidney tubules to water - more water is reabsorbed in the kidneys, resulting in a smaller volume of more concentrated urine - as the blood water level returns to normal, the pituitary gland stops releasing ADH
26
why is kidney failure dangerous?
when the kidneys are damaged, they may be unable to filter the blood properly. This may lead to: - a build up of toxic molecules (e.g. urea) in the body - an uncontrolled ion and water balance and cells being damaged as a result of osmosis
27
what are the two main ways of treating kidney failure?
- dialysis - transplant
28
what is kidney dialysis?
kidney dialysis is the use of a specialist machine to carry out the function of kidneys. Dialysis fluid contains the same concentration of glucose and ions as healthy blood. As a result, only excess and waste molecules are lost from the blood, and glucose and ions remain
29
what are the advantages of using kidney dialysis and of kidney transplant?
dialysis: no shortage of dialysis machines, no risk from surgery transplant: allows patient to lead a normal life, only expensive initially
30
what are the disadvantages of kidney dialysis and transplant?
dialysis: frequent puncturing of skin may lead to infections/ blood clots, requires frequent treatments, controlled diet, expensive in the long-term transplant: donor may not be available, risky surgery, have to take immunosuppresants for rest of their life, body may reject organ
31
what is the function of reproductive hormones during puberty?
males: causes the development of secondary sexual characteristics females: causes the development of secondary sexual characteristics and the maturation of eggs
32
what is the main male reproductive hormone?
testosterone which is produced by the testes and stimulates sperm production
33
what is the main female reproductive hormone?
oestrogen which is produced in the ovaries and involved in the menstrual cycle
34
describe the events of the menstrual cycle
- uterus lining thickens and eggs begin to mature in the ovaries - an egg is released from one of the ovaries- uterus lining remains thick - if the egg is fertilised, pregnancy may occur. If not, both the egg and uterus lining are shed during menstruation
35
what is ovulation?
ovulation is the release of a mature egg from the ovaries, which occurs approximately every 28 days
36
what is the role of oestrogen in the menstrual cycle?
- oestrogen is produced by the ovaries - it triggers the production of LH and inhibits the release of FSH
37
what is the role of the ovaries in the endocrine system?
secretes oestrogen, which coordinates the menstrual cycle and the development of female secondary sexual characteristics
38
what is the role of LH in the menstrual cycle?
LH is produced in the pituitary gland as a result of oestrogen. Its release triggers ovulation
39
what is the role of progesterone in the menstrual cycle?
progesterone is secreted from the follicle of the ovary. It sustains the uterus lining and inhibits FSH and LH
40
what is the role of the testes in the endocrine system?
secretes testosterone, which coordinates the production of sperm and the development of male secondary sexual characteristics
41
what are 2 types of oral contraceptives?
- combined contraceptive pill (contains oestrogen and progesterone) - mini pill (only progesterone)
42
how does the contraceptive pill prevent pregnancy?
- inhibits FSH- eggs do not mature - prevents the development of the uterus lining-eggs cannot implant - increases the thickness of the cervical mucus- immobilises sperm cells
43
what is the contraceptive patch?
- contains both oestrogen and progesterone - patch placed on skin for 7 days
44
what is the contraceptive injection?
an injection containing the hormone progesterone- lasts for approximately 3 months
45
what is the contraceptive implant?
a small rod inserted under the skin of the arm which continuously releases progesterone for 3 years
46
what is the IUS?
(inrauterine system) small plastic device inserted into the uterus. it releases progesterone which thickens cervical mucus and prevents the build up of the uterus lining
47
what is the IUD?
(inrauterine device) small copper-containing device inserted into the uterus, which prevents the implantation of embryos (non hormonal)
48
what is a spermicide?
kill or disable sperm- work better combined with barrier methods
49
what is a barrier method of contraception?
physical separation between the sperm and the egg: condoms and diaphragms which prevent the sperm reaching an egg
50
what surgical methods of contraception are there?
sterilisation: - in males sperm ducts are tied - in females oviducts are tied
51
what is abstinence?
not having sex- avoids pregnancy. Some people abstain from sex during time of ovulation but is unreliable
52
how do fertility drugs increase the chance of pregnancy?
many fertility drugs contain FSH- which stimulates oestrogen and the maturation of eggs in the ovary. They also contain LH which triggers ovulation
53
what is IVF?
(in vitro fertilisation) - mother is given FSH and LH- stimulates maturation of eggs and ovulation - eggs are fertilised using sperm in a laboratory: develop into embryos - 1 or 2 embryos are inserted into the mother's womb
54
what are the advantages of IVF treatment?
- allows infertile parents to have children - can store a woman's eggs for later
55
what are the disadvantages of IVF treatment?
* it is very emotionally and physically stressful * the success rates are not high * it can lead to multiple births which are a risk to both the babies and the mother. * side effects of fertility drugs
56
what is negative feedback?
negative feedback is a type of control where the body responds to an increase or decrease in a factor by returning it to the optimal level
57
what is thyroxine?
thyroxine is a hormone released by the thyroid gland. It’s release is triggered by the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Thyroxine controls the body’s metabolic rate, growth and development
58
how is the release of thyroxine controlled by negative feedback?
- levels of blood thyroxine falls - detected by receptors in the brain - pituitary gland releases more TSH - more thyroxine produced and released by the thyroid gland - blood thyroxine level returns to normal
59
what is adrenaline?
adrenaline is a hormone secreted by the adrenal gland in times of stress. it is responsible for the ‘fighter flight’ response
60
what are the effects of adrenaline?
- increase in heart and breathing rate —> delivers oxygen + glucose to the body - stored glycogen converted to glucose - dilation of pupils - increased mental awareness - blood diverted away from digestive system to muscles

biology gcse paper 2 (4 decks)

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