homeostasis Flashcards
define homeostasis
the process involved in maintaining a constant internal environment, within tolerance limits despite changes in internal and external environment
list internal conditions that need to be controlled
CO2
O2
Salts
water
wastes
ph
temp
glucose
list what the the steady state control system
SR MERF
stimulus
receptors
modulator
effector
response
feedback
define stimulus and provide an example
is the change in internal environment this could be increase temperature of blood
define receptors and provide an example
receptors detect the change, for temperature the thermoreceptors detect the change in temp
define modulators with an example
this is the control center process which recieves info from recptors and compares to the normal/ optimum levels and sends meassage to effectors. for an increase in temperature this may be the hypothalamus
define effectors with an example
the muscle or gland that carries out the response such as a blood vessle or skeletal muscles
define responses with an example
counteracts the stimulus such as blood vessles vasodialating due to hot conditions in efforts to cool the body temp
define feedback and give an example
original stimulus is now changed. this could be a negative or positive feedback loop.
why does CO2 need to be maintained within limits?
when disolved in water forms carbonic acid lowering pH and effecting enzyme activity
why does oxygen and nitrogenous wasteslevels need to be maintained within limits
oxygen- to supply energy (ATP) for cellular functioning
nitrogenous waste- toxic in high concentrations inhibit the reaction that form them also raises pH
why does temperature, salts and water levels need to be maintained
temperature- affects enzyme activity
salts - Na from NaCl is important in regulating fluid levels as well as nerve transmition and muscle contraction
water- mainntains concentration of cell contents at correct level for cellular reactions and the solvent for metabolic reactions
what are ectotherms
ectotherms gain heat from external environments like warm rocks, sun and water
- body temp fluctuates
- includes invertebrates, reptiles ampibians
outline the characteristics of an endotherm
gains body heatfrom metabolic activity(internally)
- high metabolism
- relatively consistant temperature
- birds mammals, some insects(bumble bees)
list the advantages and disadvantages of being ectothermic
advantages-
little energy required
can feed less
stay in shelter for longer
disadvantages
- inactive at nigh or cold
- more likely to get eaten
- restricted geographical area
list the advantages and disadvantages of being endothermic
advantages-
active 24hrs a day
body temp consistant
any geographical location
able to avoid preadtors
makes them good predators
disadvantages
requires large amounts of energy
need insulation and cooling mechanisms
how do organisms loose body heat
some lost through urine, faecese, lungs
most lost through skin
through conduction, convection radiation and evaporation
list some physiological adaptations for terrestrial animals in hot environments and describe how they regulate temperature
sweating or panting
- water has a 50% cooling effect of air as the water evaporates it takes the heat with it.
coat thinning/fur flattening
- thick coat is shed in warm weather
- thick fur trapps air close to skin preventing heat loss so therefore once removed it promotes heat loss
vasodialation
- smooth muscles in the wall of an artery flowing to the skin relaxes and the artery increases in diameter to increase blood flow.
decreased metabolic rate
- as heat is a product of metabolism
list some structural adaptation and describe how they help in regulating the body’s temp.
large SA:VOL raito
having large extremities aid heat loss.these feature s are like elephants ears thin flat and big.
insulating fur
- shades skin prevents skin from absorbing suns radiation
list some behavioural adaptations and describe hoe they help in regulating the body’s temp
wallowing in water
- as long as temp of water is lower than the animals it will loose heat in the water
burrowing and laying in shade
- prevents heating by radiation
increase SA
- spreading out, flapping ears to create air flow
standing on 2 legs like a lizard
- to limit the amount of heat being conducted
list some physiological adaptations of terrestrial animals in cold and how they reduce heat loss
vasoconstiction
- blood vessles constrict to skin restricting bloodflow
- reduces temp of skin so heat isnt transferred via radiatino as heat remains underneath fat layer
increase MR
- hormones like adrenaline are released and heat is a by product of this
decreased MR = torpor (inactivity)
- hibernation- long term decrease in mr and body temp (days)
- diunation- short term decrease in MR and body temp (hrs)
shivering
- involentary repeates muscle contraction requires energy from metabolism creating heat as a by product
piloerection
- hairs stand up involentarily trapping air close to skin providing insulation via convection
list some structural adaptations and describe how they prevent heat loss
small SA:VOL ratio
- fatter rounder shape
- smalll extremeties
insulating fat
- blubber is a good insulator of heat as it a poor conductors thus preventing conduction to core.
- allowing skin to be cooler which decreases the heat gradient between it and the water
insulating fur
- thick fur trapas layer of air close to body
- air is a good insulator and poor conductor
for example the polar bear
counter current heat exchange
list some behavioral adaptation and describe how they prevent heat loss
huddling/clusters
- ectotherms such as bumble bees huddle together and shiver
- effectively reducing SA of individuals exposed to cool air
- penguins share time on outside of huddle
staying in burrows
- creates a warmer microclimate
- reducing temp gradient
basking in the sun
- absorbs heat energy from the sun throughradiation
migration
- moving to an area with a warmer climate
- removing the need for physiological and structural adaptations
describe characteristcs of the artic hare that enable it to prevent heat loss
- fat
- thick fur
-smaller SA:VOL ratio
-small extremeties - black ear tips which absorb heat and prevent damage to the ears
- burrows to avoid cold
- active by day