C3.1 Integration of Body Systems

nervous system

designed to receive sensory information through receptors, sending motor responses to the muscles and glands

endocrine system

consists of glands that respond to chemical signals with the production and release of hormones

negative feedback control

set of actions that bring factors back to set point

hierarchical organisation

cells → tissues → organs → systems

emergent properties

characteristics arisen from complex interactions within the hierarchy. Allows organisms to peform complex functions that individual cells alone cannot

spinal chord

bundle of nerves that runs from the base of the skull down the back of an animal to connect the brain to the rest of the body; acts as an integrating center for unconscious processes

grey matter

tissue comprised of nerve cell bodies

white matter

tissue comprised of nerve fibers

sensory neurons

carry impulses from receptors to the central nervous system

transduction

ability to convert a stimulus to an action potential

motor neurons

signal muscles to contract

nerves

bundles of fibers of sensory and motor neurons

reflex action

rapid involuntary response resulting from nerve impulses initiated by a stimulus

relay neurons

connects sensory neurons to motor neurons in grey matter

hormones

chemical messenger produced by endocrine glands into the bloodstream

hypothalamus

plays a role in controlling endocrine system by acting as a bridge between nervous and endocrine systems

effector organ

muscles and glands that carry out a response to signals from the nervous system (motor neurons)

melatonin

secreted by the pineal gland to control the circadian rhythm

circadian rhythm

patterns of behaviour/physiology based on a 24 hour cycle

adrenaline

released by adrenal glands during fight/flight situations

pituitary gland

gland that secretes hormones to control growth, development, reproduction, homeostasis, etc

posterior pituitary

secretes ADH hormone

ADH hormone

hormone responsible for osmoregulation

osmoregulation

regulates feedback control to maintain H2O permeability

baroreceptors

specialised nerve endings that detect changes in blood pressure

chemoreceptors

sensory cells that detect changes in blood pH

medulla

makes up part of the brain stem that sends messages via nerves to control heart rate and the heartbeat

peristalsis

movement of food along the gut

system integration

necessary process in living systems. Coordination is needed for component parts of a system to collectively perform an overall function.