unit 4: homeostasis Flashcards
homeostasis
the body’s attempt to adjust to a fluctuating external enviroment
what does homeostasis maintain and how is it achieved
a dynamic equilibrium (balance) as the result of internal control mechs that continuosly oppose outside forces that tend to change the enviroment.
acheived through freedback systems .
negative feedback loop
process that detects and reverses deviations from normal body conditions.
explain a brief overview of the 5 steps of negative feedback loop
stimulus(environmental change)
sensor(eg,free nerve ending in the skin)
integrator (the brain)
effector(a muscle or gland)
response(sysytem output)
in the negative feedback mechanisms, the response of the system cancels or counteracts the effect of the orignal environment change
3 components of homeostasis
a) sensory receptors
b) integrator (coordinating centre)
c) effectors (regulators)
sensory receptors
detects change in an internal condtion and sends nerve impulses to the brain
integrator (coordinating centre)
the brain sends messages to the effectors
effectors(regulators)
cause a change in the internal condtion that returns it to normal
the part of the brain that messages are sent to
hypothalamus
What is the primary function of the kidney?
Filters the blood in order to remove cellular waste products.
The kidneys play a crucial role in maintaining the body’s internal environment by filtering out waste.
What is homeostatic control in the context of kidney function?
Controls water balance, Na+, K+, Co2+, and bicarbonate ions levels in blood.
Homeostasis is vital for maintaining stable conditions in the body.
What hormone does the kidney secrete that stimulates RBC production?
Erythropoietin.
Erythropoietin is essential for regulating red blood cell formation in response to oxygen levels.
What activates vitamin D production in the skin?
The kidney.
Vitamin D is important for calcium absorption and overall bone health.
Fill in the blank: The kidney controls levels of _______ in blood.
Na+, K+, Co2+, and bicarbonate ions.
These ions are critical for various physiological functions including nerve transmission and muscle contraction.
What is the shape and size of the kidneys?
Two bean shaped organs, about the size of a clenched fist
Where are the kidneys located in the body?
Against the dorsal body wall on either side of the spine
What percentage of the blood supply do the kidneys contain at any given moment?
20%
Is it possible for the human body to function with one kidney?
Yes
What happens to the functioning kidney if one kidney is removed?
The operating kidney will increase in size to accommodate the increased workload
What are the three distinct regions of the kidney?
- Cortex
- Medulla
- Pelvis
What is the outer region of the kidney called?
Cortex
What is located beneath the cortex of the kidney?
Medulla
What is the hollow chamber within the medulla called?
Pelvis
How many nephrons are approximately in the cortex and medulla of each kidney?
About 1 million nephrons
What is the structural and functional unit of each kidney?
Nephron
What is the structure of a nephron?
A long tubule enclosed at one end and open at the other
What is the name of the double wall chamber at the closed end of the nephron?
Bowman’s Capsule
What network of capillaries is found within Bowman’s Capsule?
Glomerulus
What are the three distinct parts of the nephron tubule?
- Proximal tubule
- Loop of Henle
- Distal tubule
Where is the proximal tubule located?
Coiled near the Bowman’s capsule
What is notable about the cells of the walls in the proximal tubule?
They are richly supplied with mitochondria
What does the Loop of Henle consist of?
A long thin-walled augment that runs into the medulla, making a hairpin turn and returning up towards Bowman’s capsule
Where does the distal tubule ascend?
Through the medulla to the cortex
What is the primary function of Bowman’s capsule in nephron filtration?
To filter dissolved solutes and water out of blood in the glomerulus into the tubule
Solutes include inorganic ions, glucose, amino acids, and urea. Plasma proteins, RBCs, WBCs, and platelets are not filtered.
Is nephron filtration selective or non-selective?
Non-selective (except by size)
This means that most solutes are filtered regardless of their type.
What does absorption in the nephron involve?
The movement of material from the nephron into the blood
This process is selective for dissolved solutes that the body needs.
Where does selective absorption primarily occur in the nephron?
Proximal tubule
It is permeable to ions, nutrients, and water.
What are the key solutes reabsorbed in the proximal tubule?
- Glucose
- Amino acids
- Bicarbonate ions
- Salts
These are absorbed via active transport.
What is the permeability of the descending limb of the loop of Henle?
Permeable to water but not salt
Water is absorbed passively into the hypertonic renal medulla.
What happens to nephric filtrate in the descending limb of the loop of Henle?
Water is absorbed passively, concentrating the nephric filtrate
This occurs because the renal medulla is hypertonic.
What is the permeability of the ascending limb of the loop of Henle?
Permeable to salt but impermeable to water
Salt is absorbed both passively and actively.
What substances are absorbed in the distal tubule?
- Nutrients
- Glucose
- Amino acids
- Bicarbonate ions
- Salts
Absorption occurs via active transport, and water is absorbed passively.
What is the role of collecting ducts in the nephron?
They are permeable to salt and water
This allows for the final concentration of urine.
What is the process of secretion in the nephron?
The movement of material from the blood into the nephron
This includes the secretion of hydrogen ions and drugs.
What is the flow chart of urine from collecting ducts?
Collecting ducts -> renal pelvis -> ureter -> bladder -> urethra
This pathway represents the final transport of urine out of the body.
What is the functional unit of the nervous system?
Neuron
Neurons are specialized cells that transmit nerve impulses.
List the three types of neurons.
- Sensory neurons
- Interneurons
- Motor neurons
Each type of neuron has a specific role in the nervous system.
What do sensory neurons do?
Sense and relay info from environment to CNS
CNS stands for Central Nervous System.
What is the role of interneurons?
Links neurons within the body
Interneurons are crucial for communication between sensory and motor neurons.
What is the function of motor neurons?
Relay info to effectors to produce a response
Effectors include muscles and glands that carry out responses.
What are the main components of a typical neuron?
- Dendrites
- Cell body
- Axon
These components are essential for transmitting nerve impulses.
How are impulses transmitted in a neuron?
From dendrites to the cell body, then away through the axon
This process is essential for communication between neurons.
How long can neurons survive?
Over 100 years
Neurons have limited capacity for division, which contributes to their longevity.
What is a reflex arc?
Simplest nerve pathway
Reflex arcs allow for quick responses without brain involvement.
Where do reflex responses occur?
At the level of the spinal cord
This allows for faster responses to stimuli.
Describe the pathway of an impulse in a reflex arc.
Travels to spinal cord, crosses to interneuron, then to motor neuron
This direct pathway facilitates rapid responses to stimuli.
What happens to the muscle in a reflex arc?
It contracts to produce the appropriate response
This contraction is an involuntary action triggered by the reflex arc.