BIO4008M Anatomy & Physiology

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to homeostasis and body systems introduced in the Anatomy & Physiology lecture notes.

Homeostasis

The mechanisms involved in maintaining a relatively stable internal environment in the body.

Extrinsic Control Mechanisms

Responses of an organ to external factors, mainly driven by the nervous and endocrine systems.

Intrinsic Control Mechanisms

Local controls inherent to a tissue or organ that respond to changes.

Negative Feedback

A process that counteracts a change, moving a physiological state back towards a set point.

Positive Feedback

A mechanism that amplifies a physiological change, pushing the variable further away from its set point.

Sensor

A receptor that detects changes in the internal environment.

Control Centre

The integration center where inputs are processed and a response is initiated.

Effectors

Targets of signals that enact changes in the body to restore homeostasis.

Nervous System

The system that detects changes and initiates responses to maintain homeostasis.

Endocrine System

A slow-acting control system that releases hormones to regulate various processes in the body.

Body Systems

Various systems in the human body that contribute to homeostasis, including cardiovascular, respiratory, and digestive systems.

Feedback Loop

A pathway in the body that involves sensors, control centers, and effectors to maintain homeostasis.

Hypothalamus

The brain region that regulates temperature and many autonomic functions.

Blood Pressure Regulation

The maintenance of blood pressure within a normal range through various feedback mechanisms.

Efferent Signals

Signals carrying response messages away from the control center.

Set Point

The normal range or level at which a physiological variable is maintained.