Honors Unit 5: Homeostasis

Homeostasis

A tendency to maintain a balanced or constant internal state; the regulation of any aspect of body chemistry, such as blood glucose, around a particular level

feedback mechanism

a cycle in which the output of a system either modifies or reinforces the first action taken by the system

sensor

in homeostasis, a receptor that detects a stimulus

Effector

an organ or cell that acts in response to a stimulus.

Molecule

A group of atoms bonded together

Organelle

A tiny cell structure that carries out a specific function within the cell

Cells

The basic unit of structure and function in all living things

Tissue

A group of similar cells that perform the same function.

Organ

A collection of tissues that carry out a specialized function of the body

organ system

A group of organs that work together to perform a major function.

organism

Any living thing

control center

processes the signal and sends instructions

respiratory system

A system of organs, functioning in the process of gas exchange between the body and the environment,

circulatory system

Transports oxygen, waste, nutrients, hormones, heat, etc... around the body

Muscular System

enables movement of the body and internal organs

Stimulus

A change, generally an abiotic factor, in an organism's surroundings that causes the organism to react

nerve, hormones

Communication tools for the body

digestive system

Breaks down food into absorbable units that enter the blood for distribution to body cells.

blood sugar

the concentration of glucose in the blood.

cellular respiration

Process that releases energy by breaking down glucose in the presence of oxygen