SB7 - Animal Coordination, Control & Homeostasis Flashcards
What’s the endocrine system?
A network of glands that produce and secrete hormones into the bloodstream
What is homeostasis?
The regulation of internal conditions inside cells or organisms, to create the optimum conditions for cell function
What is an endocrine gland?
Glands of the endocrine system that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream
What glands are the endocrine system made up of?
- Pituitary gland
- Pancreas
- Thyroid
- Adrenal gland
- Ovary
- Testes
What is the Hypothalamus?
Part of the brain which controls water balance, temperature and secretion of hormones by the pituitary gland
What is the pituitary gland also known as?
The master gland
What is the purpose of the pituitary gland?
- Secretes hormones into the blood to either have an effect on the body
- Acts on other glands to stimulate them to produce different hormones
What is the purpose of the pancreas?
- Secretes insulin
- Controls blood glucose levels
What is the purpose of the Thyroid?
- Secretes thyroxine
- Controls metabolic rate, heart rate and temperature
What is the purpose of the Adrenal gland?
- Secretes adrenaline
- Involved in the ‘fight or flight’ response
—> (Body’s response to stressful situations)
What is the purpose of the Ovary?
- Secretes oestrogen
- Is involved in the menstrual cycle and the development of female secondary sexual characteristics
What is the purpose of the Testes?
- Secretes testosterone
- Is involved in the production of sperm and the development of male secondary sexual characteristics
What substance in the body transports the hormone?
Blood
What is the difference between the hormonal system and the nervous system?
- Nervous system is much faster
- Hormonal system acts for longer
What is adrenaline?
A hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands to prepare the body for a flight or flight response
What is a flight or flight response?
The body’s response to a dangerous situation
What are some aspects of the flight or flight response?
- Increased heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased blood flow to muscles
- Increased blood sugar levels
How does increased heart rate & blood pressure aid the flight or flight response?
Allows oxygen to reach the muscles more quickly, so we can move out of the path of danger
How does increased blood flow to muscles aid the flight or flight response?
Blood vessels leading to other vessels dilate - allows more blood to reach them
—> Allows them to contract with greater strength, and more quickly
How does increased blood sugar levels aid the flight or flight response?
Liver is stimulated to break down glycogen into glucose, which muscles can use to contract
What is thyroxine?
A hormone secreted by the thyroid gland that controls metabolic rate, heart rate and temperature
What is TRH?
- A hormone secreted by the hypothalamus when blood thyroxine levels are lower than normal
- Stimulates pituitary gland to release TSH
What is TSH?
A hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that stimulates the thyroid gland to release thyroxine.
What is negative feedback?
A corrective mechanism that allows only small shifts from a set point, reversing a change in conditions
How are the levels of thyroxine controlled by negative feedback?
- When the levels increase, it is detected by receptors in the brain
- This inhibits the release of TSH
- This inhibits the release of thyroxine, so levels of thyroxine fall
How are low levels of thyroxine returned to normal?
- Low levels of thyroxine stimulate production of TRH in the hypothalamus
- TRH causes the release of TSH from the pituitary gland
- TSH acts on the thyroid to produce thyroxine
- When thyroxine levels returns to normal level, thyroxine inhibits the release of TRH = stops the production of TSH
What is the menstrual cycle?
The process the body undergoes each month to prepare for a potential pregnancy
At what day does ovulation occur?
14
At what day does the cell lining break down occur?
28
What is a hormone?
Chemical messenger produced in glands and carried by the blood to specific organs in the body
What is menstruation?
The loss of blood and tissue from the lining of the uterus through the vagina during the menstrual cycle
What does FSH stand for?
Follicle stimulating hormone
What is the purpose of FSH?
Causes the maturation of an egg in the ovary
Where is FSH produced?
Pituitary gland
What does LH stand for?
Luteinising hormone
What is the purpose of LH?
Stimulates the release of the egg
Where is LH produced?
Pituitary gland
What is the purpose of oestrogen?
Involved in repairing and thickening the uterus lining
Where is Oestrogen produced?
Ovaries
What is the purpose of progestorone?
Maintains the uterine lining
Where is Progesterone produced?
Ovaries
Where is progesterone secreted from?
Egg follicle
What is a follicle?
Fluid filled ball of cells found in the ovary containing an ovum
What is the corpus luteum?
The remains of the follicle in an ovary after it has released an ovum into the fallopian tube
What hormone does FSH stimulate the production of?
Oestrogen
What hormone does Oestrogen inhibit?
FSH
What happens when oestrogen rises to a high level?
Causes a surge in LH - causes ovulation
What happens to the follicle after the egg is released?
Follicle becomes corpus luteum - Produces progesterone and oestrogen (inhibits FSH and LH)
What happens to the lining of the uterus if the egg has not been fertilised?
The corpus luteum dies and progesterone levels drop - uterus lining breaks down & menstruation happens
What is contraception?
The prevention of fertilisation
What are the types of contraceptive pills?
- Progesterone only
- Progesterone and oestrogen (mixed pill)
How does the mixed pill work?
- Oestrogen levels are constantly high = inhibits FSH so no
eggs mature - Lining also stops developing and the mucus in the cervix becomes thick = sperm cannot move through
What are some side-effects of the mixed pill?
- Changes in mood
- Breast pain / tenderness
- Increased blood pressure