Human Control, Coordination, and Homeostasis Review

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers human physiological responses, eye anatomy, plant tropisms, and homeostatic mechanisms based on lecture examination questions.

Reflex Arc

The pathway of an impulse through nerve cells, typically from a receptor through a sensory neurone and motor neurone to a muscle, during a reflex action.

Gravitropism

A tropic response involving the growth of a plant root towards the centre of the Earth.

Phototropism

A tropic response involving the growth of a plant shoot towards a light source.

Retina

The light-sensitive part of the human eye.

Sweating

A cooling process where water evaporates from the skin to help lower body temperature.

Suspensory Ligaments

Structures in the eye that become tightened or slackened to help change the shape of the lens for focusing.

Ciliary Muscle

A muscle in the eye that, when contracted or relaxed, changes the tension on the suspensory ligaments to adjust the curvature of the lens.

Vasoconstriction

The narrowing of arterioles supplying the skin to prevent the human body from losing heat.

Vasodilation

The widening of blood vessels in the skin to increase blood flow near the surface and help cool the body when temperature rises above $37\,^{\circ}\text{C}$.

Effector

An organ, such as a muscle in the arm, that performs a response after receiving an impulse from a motor neurone.

Adrenaline

A hormone that triggers the liver to release glucose into the blood-stream.

Antagonistic Muscles

A pair of muscles, such as the biceps and triceps, that produce movement in opposite directions when they contract.

Iris

The structure in the eye containing circular and radial muscles that control the amount of light entering the pupil.

Pupil

The opening in the center of the iris whose size is adjusted to regulate light entry based on environmental brightness.

Geotropism

A plant response to gravity, such as roots growing downwards.

Sensory Neurone

A specialized nerve cell that carries impulses from a receptor toward the central nervous system.

Motor Neurone

A specialized nerve cell that carries impulses from the central nervous system to an effector muscle or gland.