PiXL Club Lecture on Homeostasis and the Human Nervous System

Flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on homeostasis, the human nervous system, and hormonal coordination.

What is homeostasis?

The regulation of the internal conditions of a cell or organism to maintain optimum conditions.

Why is homeostasis important?

It maintains optimal conditions for enzyme function and all cell functions.

List three conditions that the body needs to maintain.

Blood glucose concentration, body temperature, and water levels.

What systems are involved in maintaining homeostasis?

The human nervous system and the human endocrine system.

What are receptor cells?

Specialized cells that detect a stimulus, such as changes in light, sound, or temperature.

What is an effector in the body?

A muscle or gland that produces a response to restore optimum levels.

Name the three coordination centers in the human body.

Brain, spinal cord, and pancreas.

What is the role of the brain in homeostasis?

Coordinates information from receptor cells and sends signals to muscles and glands.

What does the pancreas coordinate in the body?

Coordinates glucose levels in the blood.

What hormone controls blood glucose concentration?

Insulin and glucagon are hormones produced by the pancreas.

What is negative feedback?

A process that ensures any control system returns changes to a set level.

What does the thermoregulatory center in the brain do?

Monitors and controls human body temperature.

What happens during vasoconstriction?

Blood vessels constrict to reduce blood flow to the skin and retain body heat.

What is the function of the thyroid gland?

Regulates metabolic rate and controls energy release, breathing, heart rate, and body temperature.

What are the main male and female reproductive hormones?

Testosterone in males and estrogen and progesterone in females.

How does the contraceptive pill work?

Contains hormones that inhibit FSH production to prevent egg maturation.

What is IVF?

In vitro fertilization, a procedure where eggs are fertilized outside the body before being implanted.

List some common plant hormones.

Auxins, gibberellins, and ethylene.

What role do auxins play in phototropism?

Auxins are produced in the shoot tip and promote cell elongation on the side away from light.

What is gibberellins used for in agriculture?

To promote growth, end seed dormancy, and increase fruit size.