Topic 9.1 Chemical control in mammals and plants Flashcards
Define homeostasis
the maintenance of a state of dynamic equilibrium in the body, despite changes in the external or internal conditions
Define sensors/receptors
specialised cells that are sensitive to specific changes in the environment
Define effectors
systems (usually muscles or glands) that either work to reverse, increase or decrease changes in a biological system
What needs to be controlled in the body?
- pH levels: so that structures of protein molecules remain stable (enzymes function at their optimum activity and structure of cell membranes maintained)
- core temperature: to maintain optimum activity for enzymes and integrity of the membranes
- water potential: to avoid osmotic effects which could damage or destroy the cells
What are the two types of communication in a feedback system?
- by hormones (chemical messages)
- by nerve impulses (electrical messages)
What are the majority of feedback system in a mammal?
negative feedback systems
Define negative feedback systems
they provide a way of maintaining a condition, such as the concentration of a substance, within a narrow range. A change in conditions is registered by receptors and as a result effectors are stimulated to restore the equilibrium
Define positive feedback systems
where effectors work to increase an effect that has triggered a response e.g. labour
Define hormones
organic chemicals produced in endocrine glands and released in the blood and carried through the transport system to parts of the body where they bring about changes, may be widespread or very targeted. hormones are usually proteins, parts of proteins or steroids
What are endocrine glands?
produce hormones, do not have ducts and they release hormones directly into the bloodstream
Define exocrine glands
produce chemicals e.g. enzymes and release them along small tubes or ducts
What stimuli affect plants?
-light- presence or absence, direction of light, intensity and length of daily exposure
-gravity
-water
temperature
-sometimes to touch and chemicals
Define tropisms
plant growth responses to environmental cues
What are the 3 stages of plant growth?
- division
- assimilation
- elongation
Which regions of a plant are most sensitive to plant growth substances?
- cell elongation: making it easier for the cellulose cell wall to be stretched
- cell division: increasing the number of divisions that occur
Define auxins
plant hormones that act as powerful growth stimulants and involved in apical dominance, stem and root growth, and tropic responses to unilateral light
Where are auxins produced?
auxins are produced in the shoots and diffuse away from the tip towards the roots
Define gibberellins
plant hormones that act as growth regulators, particularly in the internodes of stems by stimulating the elongation of growing cells; also promote the growth of fruit and involved in breaking dormancy in seeds and in germination. produce amylase which breaks down starch stores
Define cytokinins
plant hormones that promote cell division in the apical meristems and the cambium through interactions with auxins. they promote lateral bud development, which can overcome apical dominance, and work synergistically with ethene in the abscission (shedding) of leaves, flowers and fruits