Homeostasis and Endocrine System Lecture Notes

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering homeostasis, feedback mechanisms, and the endocrine system based on the lecture notes.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a constant internal environment or a steady state where reactions occur to keep the body in balance.

Feedback Mechanism

A system that allows the body to maintain control through two types: positive feedback and negative feedback.

Negative Feedback Loop

A controlled regulation where the body reverses a change in its environment to keep internal levels at a set point.

Positive Feedback Loop

A rapid process in which the body encourages or promotes a change to occur, such as during childbirth.

Hormones

Chemicals used by the brain to send or receive messages to different parts of the body to maintain stability.

Glands

Endocrine tissue in animals that secretes hormones into the body.

Target Tissues

Specific cells or parts of the body that are affected by a particular hormone.

Feedback Loop

The cycle between the input (change), the body, and the output (the body's reaction) during homeostasis.

Insulin

A hormone produced by the pancreas that reduces blood glucose levels by signaling the liver and muscle cells to take in glucose.

Glucagon

A hormone produced by the pancreas that raises blood glucose levels by signaling the liver to release stored glycogen as glucose.

Pancreas

The organ responsible for producing the hormones insulin and glucagon to regulate blood sugar.

Glycogen

The form in which the liver stores glucose; it can be converted back into glucose when glucagon is released.

Diabetes Type I

A condition characterized by a lack of production of insulin, typically controlled by insulin injections.

Diabetes Type II

A condition where the body develops a resistance to insulin, often controlled by diet and exercise.

Oxytocin

A hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that stimulates uterine contractions during labor.

Thermoregulatory center

The part of the brain that receives information from receptors and sends commands to effectors to regulate body temperature.

Receptors

Body sensors, such as those in the skin, that detect changes like temperature fluctuations.

Effectors

Organs or tissues, such as sweat glands and skeletal muscles, that carry out the body's response to a stimulus.

Shivering

Involuntary muscle contractions that generate heat when body temperature falls below $36.7^\circ\text{C}$ ($98^\circ\text{F}$).

Sweating

The secretion of water from glands to remove heat from the body via evaporation when the body is overheating.

Pineal Gland

One of the main glands responsible for hormone production in the maintenance of homeostasis.

Pituitary Gland

An endocrine gland that receives signals from the brain and secretes hormones like oxytocin.

Thyroid Gland

A gland in the neck that is part of the endocrine system responsible for maintaining homeostasis.

Adrenal Glands

Glands located near the kidneys that are responsible for hormone production in the endocrine system.

Thymus

An endocrine gland involved in hormone production for maintaining balance within the body.