Year 11 Flashcards
What is homeostasis
Homeostasis is the regulation of the internal conditions of a cell or organism to mantain optimum conditions for function in response to internal or external changes
How is homeostasis controlled
Homeostasis is controlled by the control systems in the body .These could be endocrine or nervous systems
How are endrocrine and nervous responses controlled
Endocrine responses are controlled by hormones travelling through the bloodstream
Nervous responses are controlled by electrical impulses moving through nerve cells
What is a neuron
A neuron is a nerve cell. There are three types neuron : sensory neurons,relay neurons and motor neurons
How is the structure of the neuron adapted for its function
- Thin projections called dendrites extend from the body cell to connect with other neurones, allowing electrical impulses to pass from one neuron to another neuron
- The axons of most neurons are insulated by a layer called the myelin sheath that ensurses impulses travel rapidly along the axin
What is the nervous systems response to a stimulus
Stimulus –>receptor(stimulus converted to an electrical impulse) —>Sensory neuron —> CNS—> relay neuron—>CNS—>motor neuron—> effector (muscle/gland)—>response
What is the synapse
The synapse is the gap between 2 neurons
How is an electrical impulse transmitted along the synapse
- The electrical impulse reaches the end of the first neuron
- This stimulates the first neuron to release neurotransmitter chemicals
- The neurotransmitter chemicals diffuse across the synapse
- The neurotransmitter chemicals bind to receptors on the second neuron
- This binding or receptor and neurotransmitter chemicals stimulatss the second neuron to transmit an electrical impulse (with the same message as first one ) along its axon
What is a reflex action
A reflex action is an inbuilt , involuntry , protective response
What is the reflex arc
The reflex arc is the nerve path when the response is a reflex action
The electrical impulse goes to the spinal cord rather than going to the brainin the reflex arc
Why are reflex actions important
Reflex actions are important as they are fast,automatic and protective
What is the cerebal cortex responsible for
The cerebal cortex is responisble for memory, consciousness,language and intellegence
What is the cerebellum responsible for
The cerebellum is responsible for co-ordination of muscular activity
What is the medulla responsible for
The medulla is responsbile for unconscious activity such as breathing or heartbeat
Why is analysing brain function and treating brain damage and disease difficult
Analysing the brain and treating brain damage and disease is difficult because :
- The brain is complex and delicate
- The brain is easily damage
- Drugs taken to treat diseases may not reach the brain because of the membranes surrounding it
- It is not fully understood which part of the brain is responsible for what
How can neuroscientists map out areas of the brain and their functions
- Neuroscientist can map out areas of the brain and their functions by studying patients with brain damage
- Observing the changes following damage to a certain part of the brain can provide informatiob on what that part of the brain does
How else can neuroscientists map out different areas of the brain and their functions
Neuroscientist can map out different parts of the brain and their functions by electrically stimulating different parts of the brain.
-This involves pushing an electrode into a part of the brain. There may be physical or mental changes in the individual based on the electrical stimulation,providing evidence of what the role of that area of the brain is
How else can neuroscientists map out the brain and its functions
Neuroscientists can use magnetic resonance imaging to produce a detailed image of the brain. MRI uses strong magnetic fields and radiowaves to produce a detailed images of inside the body e.g the brain. They can be used to show which part of the brain is active during certian activities
What is the function of the cornea
The cornea bends/refracts light onto the lens
What is the function of the lens
The lens has a convex shape to refract light onto the retina
What is the function of the sclera
The sclera is the white outer part of the eye which supports the structures inside the eye. It is strong to prevent damage to the eye
What is the iris and what is its function ?
The iris is the coloured part of the eye. It is a muscle that surrounds the pupil. It contracts or relaxes to alter the size of the pupil
What is the pupil ?
The pupil is a hole in the iris that allows light to enter the eye
What is the retina
The retina is a layer of light sensitive cells at the back of the eye. It contains light receptor cells . Light stimulates these cells and then impulses are sent to the brain
What is the optic nerve
The optic nerve is a nerve that leaves the eye and transmits electrical impulses to the brain
What do ciliary muscles and suspensory ligaments do
Ciliary muscles and suspensory ligaments hold the lens in place and control its shape
What is accomodation of the eye
Accomodation of the eye is the process of changing the shape of the lens to focus on near or distant object
How does the lens change shape for near focussing
The lens becomes thicker and rounder for near focussing (and refracts light more strongly)
How does the lens change shape for distant focussing
-The lens becomes thinner when distant focussing and only slightly refracts light rays
How do suspensory ligaments and ciliary muscles contract for near focussing
-Suspensory ligaments become lax(loosen) for near focussing
Ciliary muscles contract for near focussing
How do the suspensory ligaments and ciliary muscle change for distance focussing
- The suspensory ligaments pull tight / tense during distance focussing
- The ciliary muscles relax during distance focussing
What is the problem with the eyeball in short sightedness
The eyeball is too long in short sightedness(myopia)
What is the problem with the eyeball in long sightedness
The eyeball is too short in long sightedness (hyperopia)
What is the problem with the lens in short sightedness
The lens is too curved( it refracts light too much)in short sightedness
What is the problem with the lens in long sightedness
The lens is too flat in long sightedness-It doesnt refract light enough
How do objects appear with long sightedness and short sightedness
- Distant objects appear blurry with short sightedness
- Close objects appear blurry with long sightedness
Where is the image focussed in long sightedness and short sightedness
- In long sightedness the image is focussed behind the retina.
- In short sightedness the image is focussed in front of the retina
What do convex lenses do ? What can they be used to treat ?
Convex lenses converge light ray (bring light rays together ) so that they converge on the retina
-They are used to treat long sightedness (hyperopia)(going too far )
Wht do concave lenses do? What can they be used to correct ?
Concave lenses diverge light rays (spread them out more) so that they converge on the retina
-This can be used to treat short sightedness(myopia
How does the iris respond to bright light
In bright light the circular muscles of the iris contract and the radial muscles relax in order to make the pupil snakler