Unit 2 Flashcards
Explain basic homeostatic model
- Receptor detects stimuli (change in internal or external environment)
- Sends signal to Control Centre (brain/spinal cord - processes info and coordinates response - sends output msg to effector)
- Effector (muscle or gland) responds to output signal (sent via hormones or nerves)
- Produces Response
Describe/draw negative feedback diagram (homeostasis)
(basically sin graph)
- internal environment moves away from optimum point, corrective mechanism activates, returns to optimum point
- moves away (other way) from opt. point, corrective mechanism activates, return to opt. point
Define metabolism, incl. catabolic and anabolic
Metabolism - all chemical processes needed to maintain life (catalysed by enzymes)
Anabolic - synthesise complex molecules from simpler molecules using energy
Catabolic - break down large molecules, releasing energy
Explain tolerance levels (graph)
Tolerance is ability to survive when exposed to abiotic and biotic factors
- bell curve
- optimum range/preferred niche
- zone of physiological stress/marginal niche
- zone of intolerance/unavailable niche
- large number of organisms in optimum range
- tolerance range is in the first 2 sections
Identify neural homeostatic control pathway (types of neurons and cells)
stimulus detected by RECEPTOR CELL –{sensory neuron}–> CNS –{relay neuron}–> CNS –{motor neuron}–> EFFECTOR produces response
Explain transmission of action potential/nerve impulses with and between neurons
- Action potential generated by stimulus
- membrane depolarised (inside becomes slightly less negative), if reaches threshold potential, Na+ channels open and flood into cell
- this initiates action potential
- Conduction
- action potential rapidly passes along axon, briefly reversing distribution of charges
- (refractory period - time required for ions to return to normal distribution, cannot conduct another action potential)
- Transmission across Synapse
- action potential causes neurotransmitters to be secreted and diffused into synaptic cleft, which are taken up by dendrites of post-synaptic neuron
Explain hormonal homeostatic control pathways
Endocrine system:
- hormones (produced in small amounts, have significant effects) are chemical messengers that bind to specific receptors on cells
- part of negative feedback
- responses include: change in metabolism, gene expression (produce specific proteins), membrane permeability
Explain Primary and Secondary messengers in Endocrine Signaling
Primary messengers - hormones act directly on cell, pass into cell, bind to receptor in cytoplasm or nucleus
Secondary messengers - hormone binds to receptor on membrane, triggers biochemical reactions (cascade), lead to particular response
Explain Upregulation and Downregulation in endocrine system
- cells change in response to chronic lack or chronic abundance of hormones
Upregulation:
- in response to chronic lack of hormone
- target cell increases concentration of receptors, therefore greater response to the low number of hormones
Downregulation:
- in response to chronic abundance of hormone
- target cell reduces concentration of receptors, decreasing sensitivity and response to the high number of hormones
Define Thermoregulation, Endotherm and Ectotherm
Thermoregulation - organism’s maintenance of constant internal body temp
Endotherm - organism that can maintain body temp, independent of external environment (energy consuming, but wider tolerance range)
Ectotherm - body temp is dependent on external environment
Identify examples of Thermoregulation
Structural features: SA:V ratio (high to lose heat, low to maintain heat), slim bodies (lose heat), thin vascularized ears (lose heat), fur/feathers/insulation (maintain heat), more mitochondria in cells (produce heat energy)
Behavioural: nocturnal/diurnal, hibernation (long state of inactivity, decreased metabolism), torpor (short term state of decreased physiological activity, body temp and metabolism), aestivation (prolonged torpor becomes of high temps and low water availability), kleptothermy (shared metabolic thermogenesis/penguins huddling)
Physiological Features: vasodilation (lose heat) or vasoconstriction (maintain heat), sweating (remove heat through evaporation), increased metabolism
Define Osmoregulation, Osmoregulators, and Osmoconformers
Osmoregulation - organism’s regulation of salt and water concentrations
Osmoregulator - organism that actively controls salt concentration, independent of environment
Osmoconformer - marine organisms that have internal environment isotonic with external environment
Identify examples of Osmoregulation
Land animals:
- insulated body (decrease evaporation), using metabolic H2O (metabolising fat yields more H2O than carbs), behavioural changes (seeking shade), EXCRETORY SYSTEM (increase ADH hormone when low H2O, causes increased permeability in kidneys, therefore greater reabsorbed H2O)
Plants:
- depends on environment
- dry environment (small leaves, hard thick cuticle, sunken stoma, fine hair trap air, deep root system, low SA:V)
- humid, well-watered soil (large root masses, broad thin leaves, not many adaptations needed)
- aquatic (reduced root system, few stomata because gas exchange directly through water, cuticle to repel water not prevent drying)
Define disease
abnormal condition of organism which interrupts normal bodily functions
define infectious vs non-infectious diseases
infectious - passed from one to another, cellular or non-cellular pathogen
non-infectious - cannot be transmitted, malfunctioning body systems/structures, genetic diseases, or environmental conditions and lifestyle