Homeostasis - the endocrine glands Flashcards
What is homeostasis?
Maintaining a constant environment in the body.
Why is homeostasis important?
Because it keeps conditions constant for enzyme action and cell functions.
What does homeostasis control?
Blood glucose concentration, body temperature, water and ion levels.
What may the control systems involve?
Responses using nerves, chemical responses using hormones.
What detects changes in environment?
Receptors
What receives and processes the information?
Brain, spinal cord and pancreas.
What do the effectors do?
Bring out the response to restore optimum levels.
What should human body temperature be kept at?
37 degrees
What are hormones?
Chemical messengers produced in body by endocrine gland. They produce an effect on the target organ.
How do hormones travel through the body?
Through the blood.
What is the master gland?
The pituitary gland, controls the other glands that release hormones.
What does the thyroid gland release and what does this do?
Thyroxine, controls rate of metabolism.
What does the adrenal gland release and what does this do? Where does it target?
Releases adrenaline and prepares body for ‘fight or flight’. It targets the liver and the heart.
What do the ovaries release and what do they do? Where does it target?
Releases oestrogen which controls puberty and menstrual cycle. It stimulates production of LH and inhibits the production of FSH. Targets ovaries, uterus, pituitary gland.
What do the testes release and what do they do? Where does it target?
Releases testosterone, controls puberty. Targets male reproductive organs.
