topic 1 Flashcards
What is homeostasis?
Homeostasis is the maintenance of a constant internal environment in order to
maintain optimum conditions for enzyme and cellular function.
Give examples of conditions maintained
by homeostasis in the body
● Blood glucose concentration
● Body temperature
● Water levels
What two types of responses are used in body control systems?
Nervous and chemical
What three components do all control systems have?
● Receptors
● Coordination centres
● Effectors
What is the function of a receptor?
Receptors detect changes in the
environment (stimuli).
What is the function of a coordination centre?
obtain and process information from receptors.
What is the function of an effector?
Effectors (muscles or glands) bring about responses to stimuli.
What is the function of the nervous system?
allows the body to
react to its surroundings and coordinate an
appropriate response.
How does a stimulus lead to a response being carried
out by the body?
- Stimulus is converted into an electrical impulse by the
receptors.
● The electrical impulse passes along sensory neurones to
the central nervous system (CNS).
● The CNS coordinates an appropriate response and an
electrical impulse is sent along motor neurones to the
effector, which carries out the response.
What sequence of events describes how
the nervous system works?
stimulus
receptor
sensory neurone
relay/CNS
motor neurone
effector
response
What is a reflex action?
automatic and rapid
response which does not involve any
conscious input from the brain
Why are reflex actions important?
aid survival by preventing
harm to the body.
what is a synapse
gap between any neurone
a neurotransmitter diffuses across and produces an electrical impulse in the next neurone
Describe how a reflex action occurs via a reflex arc
● The stimulus is detected by a receptor.
● An electrical impulse passes along a sensory neurone to the spinal cord
(part of the CNS).
● At a synapse between a sensory neurone and a relay neurone, a chemical diffuses across the gap and stimulates a new impulse which passes along the relay neurone.
● The same process occurs at a synapse between a relay neurone and a motor neurone.
● At the effector, an appropriate response is carried out
What is the function of the cerebral cortex?
controls consciousness,
intelligence, memory and
language.
What is the function of the cerebellum?
controls muscular
coordination
What is the function of the medulla?
controls
unconscious
activities
Why is the investigation and treatment of the
brain difficult?-
● complex and delicate organ.
● easily damaged and destroyed.
● Certain membranes prevent drugs from reaching
the brain.
● The exact function of each part of the brain is not
known
What methods are used by scientists to determine
brain function?
● Studying patients with brain damage
● Electrical stimulation of the brain
● MRI scans
What stimuli are the receptors of the eye sensitive to?
Light intensity
colour
what is the iris
controls light entry
what is the cornea
refracts light
what is the pupil
allows light to pass through and enter the eye
what is the lens
refracts light to focus on the retina
what is the sclera
white part
What are the two main functions of structures
found within the eye?
● Focusing on near or distant objects -
accommodation.
● Adaptation to dim light
Describe the structure of the retina
The retina is a light-sensitive
layer found at the back of the
eye.
Describe the function of the retina
Light stimulates the retinal cells,
resulting in impulses being sent
to the brain.
rod cells - black and white
cone cells - colour
what are cilliary muscles
adjust the shape of the lens to alter the refraction of light
what are suspensory ligaments
slacken or stretch to adjust the thickness of lens
eye adjust to focus on near object
cilliary muscles contract
suspensory ligaments loosen
lens is thicker
refracts light more
eye adjust to focus on
distant object
cilliary muscles loosen
suspensory ligaments pull tight
lens is thinner
refracts light slightly
Describe how the iris alters the size of the pupil in dim light
circular muscles relax and radial muscles contract - makes pupil larger so more light can
enter the eye.
Describe how the iris alters the size of the pupil in bright light
circular muscles contract and radial muscles relax - makes pupil smaller to avoid retinal
damage.
What is accommodation?
the alteration of the
lens’ shape in order to focus on near or distant objects.
What is myopia?
short sightedness
lens of the eye is too curved. As a result, light is focused in front of the retina
How can myopia be treated?
glasses with a concave lense, which spreads out light rays so they can be focused on the retina.
What is hyperopia?
the lens of the eye is too flat. As a result, light is focused behind the retina
How can hyperopia be treated?
glasses with a convex lense, which brings the light rays together so they can be focused on the retina
What are the two types of contact lenses?
● Hard - rigid material, last a long time, must be kept
sterile.
● Soft - flexible material, last for a shorter time, more
comfortable.
risks of replacement lenses
retinal damage, cataracts
and infections.
What is laser eye surgery?
lasers either reduce thickness (myopia)
alter curvature (hyperopia)