Homeostasis Flashcards
Define homeostasis
Physiological control systems that maintain a constant internal environment
Why does a constant internal temperature need to be maintained?
- Metabolism is controlled by enzymes- Enzymes have an optimum temperature- Too hot = denatured enzymes- Too cold = slow rate of reaction
Why does a constant internal pH need to be maintained?
- Metabolism is controlled by pH- Enzymes have an optimum pH- Away from optimum pH rate of reaction decreases and then beyond a point enzymes denature
Why does a constant internal glucose concentration need to be maintained?
A minimum amount of glucose is needed as a respiratory substrate
What happens if glucose concentration is too high?
- Decreases water potential- Water moves out of cells by osmosis- Cells shrivel up
What is negative feedback?
- Receptors detect a change away from the normal/optimum and effectors activate mechanisms to return the body to normal/optimum- Control and regulation- e.g. blood temp, pH, glucose- Separate negative feedback systems give you more control
What is positive feedback?
- A response that results in the effectors further amplifying the change away from the normal - Rapid changes and responses- e.g. giving birth, hypothermia, blood clotting, depolarisation
What happens when there’s an increase to the blood glucose concentration
- Receptors in the pancreas detect an increase in blood glucose- Beta cells in the islets of Langahans (pancreas) secrete insulin- Insulin binds to receptors in liver + muscles- Increases permeability to glucose- More glucose absorbed by facilitated diffusion- Glycogenesis converts glucose into glycogen- Increases rate of respiration
What happens when there’s an decrease to the blood glucose concentration
- Receptors in the pancreas detect blood glucose is low - Alpha cells in the islets of Langahans (pancreas) secrete glucagon - Glucagon binds to receptors on liver cells- Decreases rate of respiration - Glycogenolysis (glycogen to glucose)- Gluconeogenesis (non carbs to glucose)
What is glycogenesis?
Makes glycogen and is promoted by insulin when blood glucose is high
What is glycogenolysis?
Splits glycogen to produce glucose when blood glucose is low, it is promoted by glucagon and adrenaline
What is glyconeogenesis?
Makes glucose from non carbs when blood glucose is low , is promoted by glucagon
What is glucagon secreted by?
Alpha cells in the islets of Langahans in the pancreas
When is glucagon secreted?
When blood glucose is low
What receptors does glucagon bind to?
Liver cells
What is the effect on blood glucose when glucagon binds to receptors on liver cells?
Blood glucose increases
What are the mechanisms of glucagon?
- decreases respiration- gluconeogenesis- glycogenolysis
What is adrenaline secreted by?
Adrenal glands
When is adrenaline secreted?
When blood glucose is low
What receptors does adrenaline bind to?
Liver cells
What is the effect on blood glucose when adrenaline binds to receptors on liver cells?
Blood glucose increases
What are the mechanisms of adrenaline?
- activates glycogenolysis by secretion of glucagon- inhibits glycogenesis
What is insulin secreted by?
Beta cells in the islets of Langahans in the pancreas
When is insulin secreted?
When blood glucose is high
What receptors does insulin bind to?
Liver and muscle cells
What is the effect on blood glucose when insulin binds to receptors on liver and muscle cells?
Blood glucose decreases
What are the mechanisms of insulin?
- increases respiration- glycogenesis- increases permeability of liver and muscle cells
How does insulin cause an increase in liver and muscle cell permeability?
- glucose carrier proteins are stored in vesicles inside liver and muscle cells - insulin binds with receptors on the cell membrane of the target cells- causes vesicles to fuse with cell membranes- carrier proteins join the membrane and glucose is absorbed by fascillitated diffusion