nervous and endocrine Flashcards
Q: What is the role of the thymus in immunity?
A: The thymus produces T-cells, a type of white blood cell that is critical for the immune system’s defense against pathogens.
Q: What are the effects of adrenaline on the body during stress?
A: Adrenaline increases heart rate, dilates the airways, raises blood pressure, and redirects blood flow to muscles, preparing the body for action.
Q: What is the relationship between insulin and glucose uptake?
A: Insulin facilitates the uptake of glucose into cells for energy production or storage as glycogen in muscles and the liver.
Q: What happens during insulin secretion?
A: Insulin is secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas when blood sugar levels rise, helping cells absorb glucose and store it as glycogen.
Q: What is the role of oxytocin in childbirth?
A: Oxytocin, released by the posterior pituitary gland, stimulates uterine contractions during labor and helps in milk production after childbirth.
Q: What is the relationship between the thyroid and metabolism?
A: The thyroid gland produces thyroid hormones that regulate the body’s metabolism, controlling how fast the body burns energy and produces heat.
Q: How does the pancreas regulate blood sugar?
A: The pancreas regulates blood sugar by releasing insulin to lower blood sugar levels and glucagon to raise them, maintaining homeostasis.
Q: What is the role of the hypothalamus in temperature regulation?
A: The hypothalamus detects changes in body temperature and triggers appropriate responses, such as sweating or shivering, to maintain a stable internal temperature.
Q: How does the body cool itself down in hot weather?
A: The body cools itself through sweating (which evaporates heat) and by dilating blood vessels near the skin to release heat.
Q: How does the body respond to cold temperatures?
A: The body responds to cold temperatures by constricting blood vessels to retain heat and by shivering to generate heat through muscle activity.
Q: What is the role of cortisol during a stress response?
A: Cortisol, released from the adrenal glands, helps manage stress by increasing blood sugar levels and suppressing non-essential functions to focus energy on handling stress.
Q: What is the process of glycogenolysis?
A: Glycogenolysis is the breakdown of glycogen into glucose in the liver, stimulated by glucagon to raise blood sugar levels when needed.
Q: What is the role of glucagon in blood sugar regulation?
A: Glucagon raises blood sugar levels by stimulating the liver to release stored glucose (glycogen) into the bloodstream when blood sugar levels are low.
Q: What happens to blood sugar levels after a meal?
A: After eating, blood sugar levels rise, prompting the pancreas to release insulin, which helps cells absorb glucose and store it as glycogen in the liver and muscles.
Q: How does the body respond to stress?
A: The body responds to stress by activating the sympathetic nervous system, releasing stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which prepare the body for the “fight or flight” response.
Q: What is the role of glucose in the body?
A: Glucose is the body’s primary energy source, and it is used by cells for metabolic processes, especially in the brain and muscles.
: What is insulin resistance?
A: Insulin resistance occurs when cells in the body do not respond properly to insulin, leading to higher blood sugar levels and increasing the risk of Type 2 diabetes.
Q: What happens during the “fight or flight” response?
A: During the fight or flight response, the sympathetic nervous system releases adrenaline and noradrenaline, increasing heart rate, dilating pupils, and redirecting blood flow to muscles to prepare the body for quick action.
Q: What is the role of the liver in blood sugar regulation?
A: The liver stores glucose as glycogen and releases it into the bloodstream when blood sugar levels are low, under the influence of glucagon.
: What is the process of negative feedback in hormone regulation?
The negative feedback loop occurs when a hormone change is detected, triggering a response to restore homeostasis in the body. Stimulus: A change in hormone levels triggers a response.
Hormone Secretion: The gland releases the hormone.
Effect on Target Cells: The hormone affects organs/tissues.
Feedback to Gland: High hormone levels signal to stop production.
Inhibition: The gland reduces hormone release.
Homeostasis: Hormone levels stabilize.
Q: What is the role of the posterior pituitary gland?
The posterior pituitary gland stores and releases hormones like oxytocin and vasopressin, regulating functions like water balance and childbirth.
Q: What is cortisol, and where is it produced?
A: Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal cortex (outer part of the adrenal glands) that helps the body respond to stress by increasing blood sugar levels, suppressing the immune system, and aiding metabolism.
Q: What is the function of aldosterone?
A: Aldosterone is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that helps regulate sodium and potassium balance, which controls blood pressure and fluid balance.
Q: Where is the pancreas located and what is its dual function?
A: The pancreas is located behind the stomach. It has a dual function: as an endocrine gland, it produces insulin and glucagon to regulate blood sugar; as an exocrine gland, it secretes digestive enzymes.
Q: Where is the adrenal medulla located and what does it secrete?
A: The adrenal medulla is the inner part of the adrenal glands, located above the kidneys. It secretes adrenaline and noradrenaline, hormones that prepare the body for stress (fight or flight response)
: Where is the pineal gland located and what hormone does it produce?
A: The pineal gland is located deep within the brain. It produces melatonin, which helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle
Q: What is the role of the thymus gland?
A: The thymus, located behind the sternum, plays a role in immune function by producing T-cells, which are important for the immune system.
Q: What is the role of the parathyroid glands?
A: The parathyroid glands, located behind the thyroid gland in the neck, regulate calcium levels in the blood by releasing parathyroid hormone.
: What is the role of the amygdala?
A: The amygdala, located in the temporal lobe of the brain, processes emotions, especially fear and pleasure.
Q: What is the function of the limbic system?
A: The limbic system is involved in emotions, memory, and arousal. It includes structures like the amygdala and hippocampus.
Q: What is the role of the corpus callosum?
A: The corpus callosum is a bundle of nerve fibers that connects the two hemispheres of the brain, allowing communication between them.
Q: What is the role of the thalamus?
A: The thalamus is located in the middle of the brain and acts as a relay station for sensory and motor signals, directing them to the appropriate areas of the brain.
Q: Where is the hypothalamus located and what is its function?
A: The hypothalamus is located below the thalamus, in the brain. It regulates vital functions such as body temperature, hunger, thirst, sleep, and hormone release from the pituitary gland.
Q: What is the role of the axon in a neuron?
A: The axon transmits electrical signals away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands.
Q: Where is the hypothalamus located and what is its function?
A: The hypothalamus is located below the thalamus, in the brain. It regulates vital functions such as body temperature, hunger, thirst, sleep, and hormone release from the pituitary gland.
Q: What is the role of the axon in a neuron?
A: The axon transmits electrical signals away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands.
Q: What are the three main parts of a neuron?
A: The three main parts of a neuron are the dendrites, cell body (soma), and axon
Q: What is the role of the parasympathetic nervous system?
: The parasympathetic nervous system promotes “rest and digest” functions, helping the body relax and recover by decreasing heart rate, stimulating digestion, and conserving energy.
Q: What is the role of the sympathetic nervous system?
A: The sympathetic nervous system activates the “fight or flight” response, preparing the body to react to stress or danger by increasing heart rate, dilating pupils, and redirecting blood flow to muscles.
Q: What is the role of the sensory cortex?
A: The sensory cortex, located in the parietal lobe of the brain, processes sensory information such as touch, pain, temperature, and proprioception.
Q: What is the function of the motor cortex?
A: The motor cortex, located in the frontal lobe of the brain, is responsible for voluntary movement and sends signals to muscles for movement.
Q: What is a reflex arc?
A: A reflex arc is the pathway through which a sensory signal is transmitted to the spinal cord and then to the muscles to produce a quick response, bypassing the brain for faster action.
Q: What is an involuntary movement?
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A: An involuntary movement is one that is controlled by the spinal cord or autonomic nervous system, like reflexes or heartbeats
What is a voluntary movement?
A: A voluntary movement is one that is consciously controlled by the brain, such as moving your arm to pick something up.
What is the role of glucagon in blood sugar regulation?
A: Glucagon helps raise blood sugar by stimulating the liver to release stored glucose into the bloodstream.
What is the role of insulin in blood sugar regulation?
A: Insulin helps lower blood sugar by allowing cells to absorb glucose for energy or storage.
: How does the pancreas regulate blood sugar?
A: The pancreas releases insulin to lower blood sugar when it is too high and glucagon to raise blood sugar when it is too low.
Q: What happens during low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)?
A: When blood sugar is too low, the pancreas releases glucagon, which stimulates the liver to release stored glucose to raise blood sugar levels.
Q: What is hyperglycemia?
A: Hyperglycemia is high blood sugar, which can occur when the body doesn’t have enough insulin or cannot effectively use insulin.
: How does the body respond to low blood sugar?
A: The pancreas releases glucagon, which signals the liver to release glucose into the bloodstream to raise blood sugar levels.
Q: What are the symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)?
A: Symptoms of hypoglycemia include shaking, sweating, confusion, dizziness, and hunger.
Q: How is Type 2 Diabetes treated?
A: Type 2 Diabetes is managed with lifestyle changes (such as diet and exercise), oral medications, and sometimes insulin injections.
Q: How is Type 1 Diabetes treated?
A: Type 1 Diabetes is treated with insulin injections or an insulin pump to regulate blood sugar levels.
Q: What causes Type 2 Diabetes?
A: Type 2 Diabetes occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin or the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels.
Q: What causes Type 1 Diabetes?
A: Type 1 Diabetes occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, leading to a lack of insulin.
Q: What is diabetes?
: Diabetes is a condition where the body cannot properly regulate blood sugar levels, either due to a lack of insulin (Type 1) or insulin resistance (Type 2).
Q: What is hypothermia, and how does the body respond?
A: Hypothermia is an abnormally low body temperature. The body responds by shivering (to generate heat), and blood vessels constrict (to preserve heat).
Q: What is hyperthermia, and how does the body respond?
A: Hyperthermia is an abnormally high body temperature. The body responds by sweating (evaporation) and dilating blood vessels near the skin to release heat.
Q: What happens during glycogen storage and release?
A: After eating, insulin promotes the storage of glucose as glycogen in the liver and muscles. Between meals, glucagon signals the liver to convert glycogen back into glucose and release it into the bloodstream.
Q: What is homeostasis?
A: Homeostasis is the body’s ability to maintain a stable internal environment, like regulating temperature, blood sugar, and pH levels.
Q: What is glucagon, and what does it do?
A: Glucagon is a hormone produced by the pancreas that raises blood sugar levels by stimulating the liver to release glucose into the bloodstream.
: What is insulin, and what does it do?
A: Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps cells absorb glucose and lowers blood sugar levels.
Q: Where is the pineal gland located and what does it do?
A: The pineal gland is located deep within the brain. It produces melatonin, a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle.
Q: What is the role of the hypothalamus?
A: The hypothalamus is located in the brain, just above the brainstem. It controls body temperature, hunger, thirst, and regulates the release of hormones from the pituitary gland.
Q: Where are the adrenal glands located and what do they secrete?
: The adrenal glands are located on top of the kidneys. They secrete adrenaline and cortisol, hormones that help the body respond to stress by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and energy production.
Q: Where is the pancreas located and what hormones does it produce?
A: The pancreas is located behind the stomach. It produces insulin (lowers blood sugar) and glucagon (raises blood sugar).
Q: Where is the thyroid gland located and what is its function?
A: The thyroid gland is located in the neck, in front of the windpipe. It produces hormones (thyroxine) that regulate metabolism, energy production, and growth.
Q: Where is the pituitary gland located and what is its function?
A: The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain, beneath the hypothalamus. It releases hormones that control other endocrine glands and regulate growth, metabolism, and reproduction.
Q: What is the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS)?
A: The PNS promotes “rest and digest,” slowing heart rate and promoting digestion and energy conservation.
Q: What is the main function of the endocrine system?
A: The endocrine system regulates body functions through hormones, which are chemical messengers that travel through the bloodstream.
Q: What is the sympathetic nervous system (SNS)?
A: The SNS is part of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for “fight or flight” by increasing heart rate, dilating pupils, and redirecting blood flow to muscles.
Q: What happens in a reflex action?
A: A reflex action is a quick, automatic response to a stimulus, controlled by the spinal cord rather than the brain, for a faster reaction.
Q: What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system (ANS)?
A: The sympathetic nervous system (activates “fight or flight”) and the parasympathetic nervous system (promotes “rest and digest”).
Q: What is the synapse?
A: The synapse is the gap between two neurons where chemical signals (neurotransmitters) are used to transmit information.
Q: What are the parts of a neuron, and what do they do?
Cell Body (Soma): Contains the nucleus and is responsible for the cell’s metabolic activities.
Dendrites: Receive signals from other neurons.
Axon: Transmits electrical signals away from the cell body.
Axon Terminal: Releases neurotransmitters to communicate with other neurons or muscles.
Myelin Sheath: A fatty layer around the axon that speeds up signal transmission.
Nodes of Ranvier: Gaps in the myelin sheath that allow for faster signal conduction.
Q: What is a neuron?
A: A neuron is a nerve cell that transmits electrical signals throughout the body.
Q: What is the function of the spinal cord?
A: The spinal cord transmits signals between the brain and the rest of the body. It also controls reflex actions.
Q: Where is the medulla oblongata located, and what is its function?
A: The medulla oblongata is located at the base of the brainstem. It controls involuntary functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Q: What is the role of the brainstem?
A: The brainstem connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls basic life functions, such as heart rate, breathing, and digestion.
Q: Where is the cerebrum located and what is its function?
A: The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain, located at the top and front. It controls thinking, reasoning, memory, emotions, touch, and voluntary movements.
Q: Where is the cerebellum located and what is its function?
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A: The cerebellum is located at the back of the brain, beneath the occipital lobes. It controls motor skills, balance, coordination, and fine muscle movements
Q: What are the parts of the CNS?
A: The brain and the spinal cord.
Q: What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?
A: The Central Nervous System (CNS) and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).
Q: What is the main function of the nervous system?
A: The nervous system coordinates and controls body activities by transmitting electrical signals, allowing the body to respond to stimuli.
Q: What is the role of the hypothalamus in temperature regulation?
A: The hypothalamus regulates body temperature by initiating cooling or warming responses, such as sweating or shivering, based on feedback from sensors in the body.
Q: What is the role of the thalamus?
A: The thalamus acts as a relay station, sending sensory information from the body to the appropriate areas of the brain for processing.
