Homeostasis Flashcards
what is homeostasis?
Keeping internal and external conditions at optimum
what are control systems that maintain your body temperature?
blood glucose levels and water content
what are the three main components of an automatic control system?
receptors, coordination centres (brain, spinal cord, pancreas) and effectors
How does out automatic control system keep internal environments stable?
negative feedback
What happens if something is too high or low in our body?
-receptors detect a stimulus-
-coordination centre receives and processes
effector produces response to counteract change and restore optimum levels
what are sensory neurones?
carry information as electrical impulses from the receptors to the CNS
what are the motor neurones?
carry electrical impulses from the CNS To the effectors?
what are effectors?
muscles and glands which respond to nervous impulses.
whats the connection between two neurones?
synapse
how is the nerve signal transferred?
chemicals that diffuse across the gap that set off a new electrical signal
what are reflexes?
rapid and automatic responses to stimuli that dont involve conscious part of the brain
what does the neurones in the reflex arcs go
through the spinal cord or through an unconscious part of the brain.
how can you measure caffeine in comparison to someones reaction?
-sit with arm resting on edge of table
-hold ruler vertically
-make sure 0 is level with thumb and finger
-let go without warning
-try to catch ruler as fast as possible
-measure number on ruler
-repeat to calc mean
-then have caffeinated drink
what are the control variables of measuring reaction time practical?
use the same person
use the same hand
dropped from the same height
How can reaction time be measured on a computer?
click a mouse as soon as a stimulus is seen on screen
you remove issue of human error
more accurate measurements
remove person being able to predict when to respond
what is the brain made up of?
billions of interconnected neurones
where is the cerebral cortex and what is its function?
its at the front
responsible for consciousness, intelligence, memory and language
where is the medulla located and whats its function?
its at the bottom
controls unconscious activities like breathing and heartbeat
where is the cerebellum and what does its function?
its at the back responsible for muscle coordination
what can docters use the to find whats happened if the small part of the brain is damaged?
they can monitor your actions
How can scientists study the brain with electrical stimulation?
push tiny electrodes into the tissue giving small zaps of electricity.
Stimulate different parts and see what it does
How scientists study the brain with MRI scans?
produces a detailed picture of brain structure so scientists can see areas of the brain that are active when people are doing certain things
What is the sclera?
tough, supporting wall of the eye
whats the cornea?
transparent outer layer found at front of eye, refracts light
whats the iris?
contains mucus to control diameter of pupil, hole is middle, how much light enters the eye.
what does the lens do?
focuses light onto the retina
What controls the shape of the lens?
ciliary muscles and suspensory ligaments
what happens when light receptors detect a very bright light?
Reflex makes the pupil smaller, circular muscles in iris contract and the radial muscles relax, reducing amount of light entering the eye.
What happens when light receptors detect a dim light?
Radial muscles contract and the circular muscles relax making the pupil wider
what is accomidation?
eye focuses light on the retina by changing shape of the lens
What does the eye do to focus on near objects?
1.) ciliary muscles contract, slackens suspensory ligament
2.) lens becomes fat
3.) increases amount of light refracted
What does the eye do to look at distant objects?
1.) ciliary muscles relax, suspensory ligaments pull tight
2.) lens goes thin
3.) refracts light by a smaller amount
what can people with long-sightedness not do? (hyperopia)
focus on near objects
Why cant people with long-sightedness view near objects?
the lens is the wrong shape and doesnt refract the light enough
or eye ball is too short
imagine near objects are brought into focus behind the retina