Nervous System and Homeostasis

Question 1

What is the function of the nervous system?

Answer 1

It enables organisms to react to their surroundings and coordinates behaviour

Question 2

What are the two parts of the central nervous system?

Answer 2

Brain and Spinal Cord

Question 3

Why are reflex actions described as rapid and automatic?

Answer 3

They do not involve the conscious part of the brain

Question 4

Why are reflex actions important?

Answer 4

For survival and to prevent damage to the body

Question 5

Give the pathway of a nervous response

Answer 5

Stimulus > receptor > coordinator > effector > response

Question 6

Give the function of the cerebral cortex

Answer 6

Outer layer of the brain playing an important role in consciousness

Question 7

Give the function of the medulla

Answer 7

Part of the brain above the spinal cord that controls the breathing and the heart rate

Question 8

Give the function of the cerebellum

Answer 8

Part at the back of the brain involved in coordinating muscle activity

Question 9

Why is it difficult to treat brain disorders?

Answer 9

Brain is very complex and delicate

Question 10

What is a synapse?

Answer 10

Gap between two neurones, allowing impulses to cross

Question 11

What is the function of neurones?

Answer 11

Carry electrical impulses around the body

Question 12

What is homeostasis?

Answer 12

Maintenance of a constant internal environment

Question 13

Give three internal conditions controlled by homeostasis

Answer 13

Body temperature
Blood Glucose concentration
Water levels

Question 14

Give three things control systems include

Answer 14

Receptors
Coordination centres
Effectors

Question 15

What is accommodation?

Answer 15

Process of changing the shape of the lens to focus on near/distant objects

Question 16

Give two commons defects of the eyes

Answer 16

Myopia (short-sightedness)

Hyperopia (long-sightedness)

Question 17

How can eye defects be treated?

Answer 17

Spectacle lenses, contact lenses, laser eye surgery, replacement lenses in the eye

Question 18

Where is body temperature monitored and controlled?

Answer 18

Thermoregulatory centre in the brain

Question 19

What happens if body temperature is too high?

Answer 19

Blood vessels dilate (vasodilation) and sweat is produced

Question 20

What happens if body temperature is too low?

Answer 20

Blood vessels constrict (vasoconstriction), sweating stops and shivering takes place