P2: Homeostasis And Response Flashcards
What is the pupil?
A small hole that lets light into the eye
What does the cornea do?
Refracts light rays as they enter the eye
What does the iris do?
Controls the size of the pupil.
What does the lens do?
Refracts light rays as they enter the eye
What do the ciliary muscles do?
Control the shape of the lens to focus the light.
What do the suspensory ligaments do?
Controls the shape of the lens to focus the light
What does the retina contain?
Receptors that are sensitive to light intensity and colour
What does the optic nerve do?
Carries impulses from receptors in the retina to the brain
What does the sclera do?
Supports and protects the eye. A fibrous outer wall.
What happens if light is too bright?
It can damage the retina
What happens to the retina in dim light? (Before the iris reacts)
It’s not stimulated enough to give a good image.
What does the iris do in bright light?
Contracts to make the pupil smaller
Why does the eyes’ lens change shape?
To help it focus on both near and faraway objects.
What does the iris do in dim light?
The iris relaxes to make the pupil bigger
What do the muscles and ligaments do to focus on a near object?
The ciliary muscles contract and the suspensory ligaments loosen. Makes the lens thicker, so light rays are refracted more strongly
What is the process of the eyes’ lens changing shape called?
Accommodation
What do the ligaments and muscles do to focus on a far away object?
The ciliary muscles relax and the ligaments tighten. This makes the lens thinner, so light rays are only slightly refracted.
Describe the lens in hyperopia.
The lens is too thin and doesn’t refract light rays enough.
What is hyperopia?
A condition where near objects appear blurry. Longsightedness
Describe the lens in myopia.
The lens is too thick and refracts light rays too much.
What is myopia?
A condition where far away objects appear blurry. Short-sightedness.
What type of lens can be used to correct long-sightedness?
Convex lens.
What type of lens can be used to correct short-sightedness?
Concave lens.
Function of the pituitary gland.
Produces many hormones
Describe how the brain is informed of the image detected by the retina.
An electrical impulse from the receptor of the retina is sent along the optic nerve.
Describe the process of IVF
-FSH matures the egg and LH releases the egg
-Eggs are collected from the ovary and fertilisation occurs
-Fertilised egg divides, forming an embryo
-Embryo is inserted into the womb
Name the two hormones used in IVF treatment.
FSH and LH
Explain how information about something sharp touching the skin reaches the brain.
-Sharp point stimulates receptor in the skin
-Sends an electrical impulse through the sensory neurone to the spinal cord
-Crosses synapse to other relay neurones in the brain
What is the name of the connection between nerve cells?
Synapse
A person notices a dog in the middle of the road as she is driving, and slams the breaks. Explain how the nervous system brings about this response.
-Eyes act as receptors to stimulus.
-Electrical impulses are sent to the co-ordinator
-These impulses then travel to the leg muscles (the effector).
Describe the adaptations of nerve cells.
Long, thin, with many branched connections to either end
Explain how alcohol consumption slows down someone’s responses
Affects the nervous system and slows down the reactions. Acts as a depressant.
Describe the movement of information from a receptor to an effector.
Stimulus –> Receptor –> Sensory Neurones –> Coordinator (central nervous system (Relay Neurones)) –> Motor Neurones –> Effector –> Response
What happens when an electrical impulse hits the end of a nerve cell?
Triggers the release of chemicals that diffuse across the synapses to the next nerve cell, where they trigger another electrical impulse.
What generally are effectors?
Muscles or glands.
What are in the central nervous system?
Our brain and spinal cord.
What are the four main areas in the brain?
Cerebral cortex, pituitary gland, medulla and cerebellum
List the general sequence a reflex action follows.
Stimulus –> Receptor –> Sensory Neurone –> Relay Neurone –> Motor Neurone –> Effector –> Response
State the functions of the cerebral cortex.
Memory, speech, problem solving.
What does the cerebellum control?
Balance, co-ordination of movement and muscular activity.
What does the hypothalamus do?
It is the regulating centre for temperature and water balance within the body.
What does the medulla control?
Unconscious activities, such as heart rate and breathing rate.
What is electrical stimulation of the brain?
Stimulating different parts of the brain with a weak electrical current and asking patients to describe what they experienced.
What are the risks of brain surgery?
Due to the complexity and delicacy of the brain, if surgery is undergone more damage or side-effects may be created.
What is an MRI scan?
A scan that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to show details of brain structure and functions. Patients are asked to perform various tasks, and doctors will see which parts of the brain are active.
Name the type of plant response to gravity.
Gravitropism
Describe how stems and roots respond differently to high concentrations of auxins.
-Cells in stems grow more.
-Stems in roots grow less
Give three reasons why it is useful for a young root to grow towards gravity.
-Anchorage
-Lets root take in water
-Lets root take in ions
Name the type of plant response to light.
Phototropism