d3.3

These flashcards cover key concepts about homeostasis, blood glucose regulation, diabetes, thermoregulation, osmoregulation, and kidney function.

What is homeostasis?

Homeostasis is the maintenance of the internal environment of an organism within preset limits despite fluctuations in the external environment.

What triggers homeostatic mechanisms in organisms?

Homeostatic mechanisms are triggered when a variable moves outside of the preset range.

What is negative feedback in homeostasis?

Negative feedback is when feedback opposes a change in a variable to maintain homeostasis.

What role do insulin and glucagon play in blood glucose regulation?

Insulin lowers blood glucose by promoting glucose uptake, while glucagon raises blood glucose by promoting glycogen breakdown.

What is hypoglycemia?

Hypoglycemia refers to abnormally low blood glucose levels, leading to a lack of energy.

What is the cause of Type 1 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is caused by autoimmune destruction of beta cells, resulting in no insulin production.

What are the long-term effects of high blood glucose?

Long-term effects include dehydration, blindness, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and nerve damage.

How does the hypothalamus regulate body temperature?

The hypothalamus integrates signals from thermoreceptors to regulate body temperature, stimulating hormonal responses as necessary.

What happens during thermoregulation in cold environments?

In cold environments, the body triggers shivering, piloerection, vasoconstriction, and the production of thyroxine to generate and conserve heat.

What is the purpose of osmoregulation?

Osmoregulation is the regulation of water and solute balance in body fluids.

What is the function of the nephron in the kidney?

The nephron's functions include ultrafiltration, reabsorption of useful solutes and water, and secretion of waste.

What roles do the glomerulus and Bowman’s capsule play in urine formation?

The glomerulus filters blood to form filtrate, while Bowman’s capsule collects the filtrate.

What happens during the reabsorption stage of urine production?

During reabsorption, useful solutes and most water are absorbed back into the blood from the filtrate.

What is the role of the Loop of Henle in urine concentration?

The Loop of Henle creates an osmotic gradient to facilitate water reabsorption, with the descending limb allowing water reabsorption and the ascending limb reabsorbing solutes.

How do osmoreceptors and ADH interact in water balance?

Osmoreceptors detect blood osmolarity; increased osmolarity triggers ADH release, enhancing water reabsorption in the collecting ducts.