Homeostasis Flashcards
Describe positive feedback
Levels change from normal Receptors detect change Communication (nervous or hormone) Effectors respond CHANGE IS AMPLIFIED
What is homeostasis?
The maintenance of a constant internal environment - keeps internal environment roughly constant (fluctuates around a certain level)
What is an ectotherm?
An organism that CANT control their body temperature internally
They change their behaviour to warm up or cool down
Their metabolism etc. depends on external temp
What is an endotherm?
An organism that CAN control their behaviour internally
Their metabolism is constantly high
Generate a lot of heat
Active at any temp
What is the hypothalamus and what is it involved in?
This part of the brain maintains body temp.
It receives information about temperature from thermoreceptors
Why must body temp be controlled?
Enzymes in body, in metabolism only work efficiently around 37oC
What temperature does the human body fluctuate around?
37oC
Give some ways of warming up
Hairs stand on end (layer of air)
Shiver
Why does blood glucose levels need to be controlled?
Too high = water potential of blood becomes too low! water diffuses out of cells via osmosis
Too low = cells cannot carry out their functions
Describe what happens when glucose levels are too high
Beta cells detect high concentration
Secrete hormone insulin into blood
Binds to receptor molecules on body cells (liver, muscle)
Increases membranes permeability to glucose
Liver contains insulin receptors - stimulates conversion of glucose to glycogen and glucose to fat
Glycogen can then be stored
Levels decrease
Describe what happens when blood glucose levels are too low
Low concentration detected by alpha cells
These secrete glucagon into the blood
Glucagon binds to receptors on liver cells
Activates enzymes that break down glycogen to glucose and amino acids
Also conversion of glycerol to glucose
What are islets of langerhams?
Cluster of cells in the pancreas that contain beta and alpha cells
What is glycogenesis?
Conversion of glucose to glycogen
What is gluconeogenesis?
Conversion of glycerol and amino acids into glucose
What is glycogenolysis?
Conversion of glycogen to glucose