Presentation_ Homeostasis and Feedback Loops (Revised 2023)

What is homeostasis?

A steady internal state maintained by the body.

Give an example of human homeostasis.

Maintaining body temperature (thermoregulation) or water balance (osmoregulation).

What is negative feedback in homeostasis?

A control mechanism that reverses a change in the body's internal conditions.

Name the systems most involved in maintaining homeostasis.

The nervous and endocrine systems.

What is the role of the central nervous system (CNS)?

It consists of the brain and spinal cord and processes sensory information.

What types of neurons are found in the nervous system?

Sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons.

What do hormones do?

They are chemical signals that affect specific target cells and connect the nervous and endocrine systems.

How does the body respond to excessive heat?

Sweat glands secrete sweat, blood vessels in skin dilate, and cooling mechanisms are activated.

What is the function of the sympathetic nervous system?

It prepares the body for 'fight or flight' responses by increasing heart rate and dilating pupils.

What is the difference between the nervous and endocrine systems in terms of response speed?

Nervous system responses are faster, while endocrine responses last longer.

What adaptations promote exchanges with the environment?

Increased surface area for exchanges through internal surfaces.

What role do hormones play in the endocrine system?

They can directly affect organs or target other endocrine glands.