Week 2: An individual’s contributions to health Flashcards
Describe the three primary biological systems involved in regulating health and illness.
The three primary biological systems are the nervous system (NS), the endocrine system (ES), and the immune system (IS). The NS is responsible for rapid communication through electrical and chemical signals. The ES regulates bodily functions through hormones. The IS defends the body from harmful agents like bacteria and viruses.
Explain the concept of homeostasis and provide two examples of how it functions within the body.
Homeostasis is the body’s ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes. Examples include temperature regulation (sweating to cool down, shivering to warm up) and blood sugar control (insulin lowering blood glucose, glucagon raising it).
What are the main components of a neuron and how do they contribute to neuronal communication?
Neurons consist of dendrites, a cell body, an axon, and axon terminals. Dendrites receive signals, the cell body processes them, the axon transmits the signal as an electrical impulse, and axon terminals release neurotransmitters to communicate with other neurons.
Outline the process of neurotransmission, including the role of neurotransmitters and the synapse.
Electrical signals travel down the axon, triggering neurotransmitters to cross the synapse and start a new signal in the next neuron.
Name three common neurotransmitters and briefly describe their functions within the nervous system.
Serotonin: mood/sleep/appetite. Dopamine: movement/reward. Acetylcholine: muscle action/learning/memory.
Differentiate between the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system.
SNS: “Fight or flight” (increases heart rate). PNS: “Rest and digest” (slows heart rate).
What is the role of the endocrine system and how does it communicate with the body?
Produces hormones that regulate growth, metabolism, and reproduction by sending messages through the bloodstream.
Explain the relationship between the endocrine system and the circadian rhythm.
The pineal gland releases melatonin, controlling sleep-wake cycles based on light/dark signals.
Describe two ways in which the immune system can malfunction, leading to health problems.
Autoimmunity (attacks healthy tissues) and immunodeficiency (fails to fight infections).
Briefly explain the concept of intergenerational transmission in the context of epigenetics.
Epigenetic changes caused by factors like stress can be passed to the next generation, affecting health.
neuron
A nerve cell that is the basic building block of the nervous system, transmitting information through electrochemical signals.
Dendrites
Branch-like extensions of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons.
synapse
The gap between two neurons where neurotransmitters are released for communication.
Axon
A long, slender projection of a neuron that transmits signals to other neurons, muscles, or glands.
Glial Cells (Glia)
Cells that support, nourish, and protect neurons, also playing a role in thinking and learning.
Neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers that transmit signals across the synapse between neurons.
Reuptake
The process by which neurotransmitters are reabsorbed by the neuron that released them, ending the signal transmission.
DNA Methylation
A process by which methyl groups are added to DNA, altering gene expression.
Circadian Rhythm
The natural, internal process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and repeats roughly every 24 hours.
refractory period
the brief resting period after a neuron fires, during which it cannot fire again.
what is epigenetics and how does it differ from genetics?
Genetics refers to the inherited DNA sequence that provides instructions for the development and functioning of a living organism. Epigenetics is the study of heritable changes that do not involve alterations in the DNA sequence itself. Instead, epigenetic mechanisms, like DNA methylation, modify gene expression, turning them “on” or “off.”
What is the “Fetal Origins Hypothesis”
The “Fetal Origins Hypothesis” suggests that conditions during fetal life, especially nutrition and malnutrition, have lasting impacts on adult health
what is the role of hormones in the endocrine system and give examples?
Hormones regulate processes like growth, metabolism, and reproduction. E.g. cortisol, regulates stress response, melatonin regulates sleep-wake cycle, and serotonin, influences emotion
Describe the role of inflammation in the immune response.
Inflammation helps isolate and eliminate pathogens and repair tissue. Chronic inflammation can lead to diseases like heart disease and arthritis.
