Homeostasis and Body Systems

Flashcards covering the key concepts related to body systems and homeostasis.

Muscular System

Enables movement of the body and its parts; heat generated by muscle contraction is important in temperature regulation.

Bone Marrow

The ultimate source of all blood cells.

Integumentary System

Serves as the outer protective barrier; important in regulating body temperature.

Immune System

Defends against foreign invaders and against body cells that have become cancerous; repairs or replaces injured or worn out cells.

Nervous System

Includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves; controls and coordinates rapid bodily activities.

Endocrine System

Secreting glands that regulate activities requiring duration (e.g., growth, metabolism, reproduction).

Reproductive System

Not essential for homeostasis; vital for perpetuating the species.

Homeostatic Control Systems

Systems that maintain homeostasis by detecting deviations, integrating information, and making adjustments.

Feedback Loops

Mechanisms used to maintain homeostasis, including negative and positive feedback.

Negative Feedback

Most common type of feedback; reverses a change to return the body to normal, such as lowering body temperature.

Positive Feedback

Amplifies a change; enhances initial change, such as contractions during childbirth.

Feedforward Loops

Responses made in anticipation of a change, such as salivation in response to the smell of food.

Sensor (in feedback mechanisms)

Monitors the level of a controlled variable.

Control Centre (in feedback mechanisms)

Compares sensor's input with a set point (the normal range).

Effector (in feedback mechanisms)

Makes a response to produce a desired effect to correct the change.

Pathophysiology

The abnormal functioning of the body associated with disease; the study of how and why the body stops working normally.