Topic 2- Responses to a Changing Environment Flashcards
what is homeostasis?
the maintenance of a constant internal environment
what are the three important examples of homeostasis?
- thermoregulation
- osmoregulation
- blood glucose regulation
what is osmoregulation?
keeping the correct levels of water in the body; when we have not consumed enough water, we urinate less and our urine is more concentrated (and vice versa)
what is thermoregulation?
keeping the body at a constant temperature; this is monitored by the hypothalamus in the brain, which has receptors that are sensitive to the temperature of the blood flowing through it
at what temperature do enzymes function best?
37˚C
when the core temperature is too high, what reactions does the body have?
- blood vessels in skin dilate, causing heat to be lost
- sweat glands release sweat which evaporates, removing heat from skin
- erector muscles cause hairs to lie flat and not trap heat
- in hot/dry conditions, sebaceous glands produce oily sebum that encourages sweat to spread more effectively
when the core temperature is too low, what reactions does the body have?
- blood vessels in skin constrict, reducing heat loss
- muscles start to ‘shiver’ causing heat energy to be released via respiration in cells
- erector muscles cause hairs to stand up, trapping heat
- in cool/wet conditions, sebaceous glands produce oily sebum that waterproofs the skin
what is vasodilation?
if the body is too hot, there is more blood flowing near the surface of the skin through superficial capillaries. blood vessels dilate, allowing more heat to be lost, which cools the body down.
what is vasoconstriction?
if the body is too cold, there is less blood flow through the superficial capillaries because the blood vessels constrict. this helps retain heat.
what are vasoconstriction and vasodilation examples of?
negative feedback
what does the nervous system consist of?
- the brain
- the spinal cord
- paired nerves
- receptors
what does the central nervous system (CNS) consist of?
- the brain
- the spinal cord
what are the rest of the nerves in the body collectively called?
the peripheral nervous system
what are the five senses?
- sight (eyes)
- hearing (ears)
- taste (taste buds on the tongue)
- smell (chemical receptors in the nose)
- touch (receptors in the skin)
(also balance -ears- may also be referred to as a sense)
what does the brain do?
coordinates most of the body’s actions
what is the function of the frontal lobe?
controls higher mental functions, e.g. choice and memory
what is the function of the medulla?
controls automatic actions, such as heartbeat and breathing
what is the function of the cerebellum?
coordinates movement and balance
what is the function of the cerebral hemisphere?
responsible for numerical computation, language and emotions
what is a neurone?
a neurone is a specially adapted cell that carries electrical impulses
what are the elongated parts of a neurone that carry impulses away from the body called?
axons
what are the elongated parts of a neurone that carry impulses towards the body called?
dendrons