Higher: B5 - Homeostasis Flashcards
What is kept the same in the human body?
- Water levels.
- Temperature.
- Glucose levels.
- Salt levels.
What is a stimulus?
A change in external environment.
What is a reflex?
An automatic and instantaneous nervous response which does not require conscious thought and helps prevent injury.
What is the name given to the part of the nervous system which contains only nerves?
The peripheral nervous system.
What is the hormone system called and what does it do?
The endocrine system - sends hormones around the body through the blood.
What are hormones produced by?
Endocrine glands.
What are hormones? (3 points)
Chemical messengers which control things that need constant adjustment in organs and cells. They have long lasting effects and act in a general way.
Why is homeostasis important for the body?
Cells need the right conditions to function properly, e.g. enzyme action.
What is negative feedback?
Receptors detect stimuli, like levels of a hormone being to high. The coordination centre organises a response and the effector produces a response which counteracts the change. The optimum level is restored.
Where is the pituitary gland?
At the base of the brain.
Where is the thyroid?
Along the front of the windpipe.
Where are the ovaries?
In the lower abdomen.
Where are the adrenal glands?
One above each kidney.
Where are the testes?
In the scrotum.
Where is the pancreas?
Behind the stomach.
What is the role of the pituitary gland?
Produces many hormones which regulate body conditions. Some of these hormones act on other glands, which produce other hormones.
What is the role of the thyroid?
Produces thyroxine, which regulates things like rate of metabolism, heart rate and temperature.
The pituitary gland produces TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), which regulates production of these hormones.
What is the role of the adrenal glands?
Produce adrenaline in stressful/scary situations, to prepare for a fight or flight response.
What is the role of the pancreas?
Monitors and control blood glucose levels: produces insulin and glucagon. Also produces enzymes.
How does a nervous response compare to an endocrine one?
Nervous: faster, short-lasting action on a precise area. Endocrine: slower, longer lasting response on a general area.
What are the food groups?
Carbohydrates, lipids and proteins.
What are lipids made of?
Glycerol and fatty acids.
What are the types of carbohydrates and what are they all made of?
All made of strings of glucose molecules:
In plants: fibre, starch, cellulose.
Animals: glycogen.
What are amino acids made of?
Glucose and nitrate.
What happens when blood glucose levels are too high?
Insulin is secreted by the pancreas and is carried by the blood to the liver. Here, the insulin triggers the liver to turn excess glucose into glycogen, which is stored in the liver and muscle cells.
What happens when blood glucose levels are too low?
Glucagon is secreted by the pancreas and is carried by the blood to the liver. Glucagon triggers the liver to convert stored glycogen into glucose, which is released back into the blood.
What is type 1 diabetes?
The pancreas produces little or no insulin, so glucose can rise to dangerous levels.
How is type 1 diabetes controlled and treated?
1) Regulation of simple carbohydrate consumption and regular exercise. 2) Insulin therapy used, involving several insulin injections per day, usually at mealtimes, to stop sugar levels getting too high. The amount of insulin needed depends on diet and activity.
What is type 2 diabetes?
Although insulin is produced, body cells don’t respond properly to, and become resistant to, the body’s own insulin. Causes blood glucose levels to rise dangerously.