Homeostasis 2 (yr11) Flashcards
What is the general idea of homeostasis
Maintaining a stable internal environment
Why is homeostasis important for cells
Your cells need the right conditions in order to function properly
So this includes the right conditions for enzyme action
What are the 2 main automatic control systems in the body
The nervous system
The hormonal system
What do the the automatic control systems control
Body temp
Blood glucose
Water content
What are the 3 main components that automatic control systems are made up of
Receptors which are cells
Coordination centres
Effectors
What are the 3 coordination centres
Brain
Spinal cord
Pancreas
How do the automatic control systems keep the internal environment stable
Give an example
By using a mechanism called negative feedback
Eg when the level of something gets too high or low the body uses negative feedback to bring it back to normal
What do the receptors do in the first step of negative feedback
They detect a stimulus
The level is either too low or too high
What does the coordination centre do in the 2nd step of negative feedback
They will receive and process the information given from the receptors
Then it organises a response
What do the effectors do in the 3rd step of negative feedback
They produce a response which counteracts the change and restores the optimum level
It either decreases or increases
What happens with the effectors in negative feedback and how can this cause problems
The effectors will carry on producing the responses for as long as they’re stimulated by the coordination centre
This might make the level change too much away form the ideal
Therefore negative feedback will take place again as the receptors pick it up
