What is homeostasis
The control of the body’s internal environment to provide constant conditions despite external changes
What does homeostasis control
Temperature and pH for correct enzyme activity
Blood glucose for constant energy supply
Water and ion concentrations to control osmosis and chemical reactions
Why are homeostatic control systems important in the body
To maintain optimal conditions for enzyme activity and cellular function
What are the three necessary components to an effective control system
Receptors to detect the change in conditions , coordination centres to process the information and effectors to bring about the correct response
What is a stimulus
Any change in environmental conditions that triggers a response
What are receptors
Specialised cells that detect a stimulus and convert it into electrical impulses which are then transmitted to the nervous system to trigger a response
Outline the stages in the negative feedback mechanism when blood pressure becomes too high
Receptors detect the increase in blood pressure, the brain processes this info and sends impulses, effectors respond by reducing heart rate and dilating blood vessels, lowering BP back to normal
What part of the nervous system do the brain and spine form
Central nervous system
What is the role of the central nervous system
To coordinate appropriate response
What is the function of the nervous system in humans
Allows detection of changes/ stimuli and coordinates response by communication between tissues
Name the two types of effector and how they respond to nervous impulses
Muscle - contract glands - release hormones
Name the two main types or neurones found in humans outside the central nervous system
Motor and sensory
What is the nervous system
a network of specialised cells called neurones groups together in bundles that we call nerves, it enables the body to respond to hanges in the environment to trigger the appropriate response
Describe how the nervous system coordinates a response to stimuli
the receptor detects the stimuli and it sends a nerve impulse along a sensory neurone
This cell takes the impulse towards the central nervous system, made up of the brain and the spinal cord
Once the brain or spinal chord has determined the appropriate response it sends another nerve impulse out along a motor neuron
This takes the impulse to an effector organ to carry out the response
This organ may be a muscle that contracts or relaxes or it may be a gland that is triggered to secrete hormones.
What is the chain reaction of how a body reacts to a stimuli
Receptor - sensory neuron - coordinator (CNS) - motor neuron - effector
What is a reflex
a reflex is a fast automatic response that occurs without conscious thought
What is a synapse
The junction between each two neurons
How do nerve impulses travel along neurons
2 neurons are not physically connected so when a nerve impulse arrives at the end of one neuron it releases a chemical into the gap
This chemical diffuses across the gap and binds to receptors on the next neuron triggering the next electrical impulse
What are reflexes used for
To control basic body functions such as breathing and digestion and to help you avoid danger or harm
How are reflexed co ordinated
The sequence of events is the same as other responses but only one cell is used in the CNS rather than hundreds this cell is called a relay neuron and connects the sensory neuron to the motor neuron through the spinal chord (sometimes in an unconscious part of the brain)
Name the type of cell that makes up most of the brains material
Nerve cells (neurons )
Name the region of the brain that controls unconscious activities
The brainstem specifically medulla oblongata
What is the chain reaction of a reflex arc
Receptor - sensory neuron - relay neuron (CNS) - motor neuron - effector
What are the advantages of the reflex arc
As the sequence bypasses the brain it reduces the time between stimulus and response, this is essential in minimising damage caused by a dangerous stimulus- usually the reflex arc will also send another impulse to the conscious brain so that you are aware of what has happened but only after the reflex action has been carried out