Communication, Integration, and Homeostasis

A collection of flashcards designed to enhance understanding of key concepts in communication, integration, and homeostasis in physiology.

Insulin

A hormone that increases glucose transport across the cell membrane of adipocytes but has different effects on liver cells.

Diabetes mellitus

A metabolic disorder characterized by high blood glucose levels due to insufficient insulin production or resistance to insulin.

G proteins

Molecular switches that control various signaling pathways, playing a crucial role in signal transduction.

Fight-or-flight reaction

A physiological response to a threatening situation that prepares the body for either fight or rapid escape.

Paracrine signaling

A form of local communication where signaling molecules affect nearby cells.

Endocrine communication

Long-distance signaling involving hormones released into the bloodstream that affect distant target cells.

Neural communication

Rapid signaling in the body through neurons that transmit impulses directly to target cells.

Lipophilic hormones

Hormones that can easily cross cell membranes and affect gene transcription, typically used for long-term physiological changes.

Lipophobic hormones

Hormones that cannot cross cell membranes and activate surface receptors, leading to rapid but transient effects.

Cascades & amplification

Processes in which a single signal molecule triggers a series of reactions, resulting in a large-scale cellular response.

Calcium (Ca²⁺) roles

Involved in muscle contraction, neurotransmitter release, gene expression, cell signaling, and as a second messenger.

Specificity in receptor-ligand interactions

The ability of a receptor to bind selectively to its specific ligand.

Agonist

A drug that activates a receptor to produce a biological response.

Antagonist

A drug that binds to a receptor but does not activate it, inhibiting the biological response.

Homeostasis

The process by which a stable internal environment is maintained despite changes in external conditions.

Cannon’s Four Postulates

Principles outlining how the nervous system regulates the internal environment, emphasizing the importance of tonic control, antagonistic control, and varied responses to signals.

Reflex pathway

A series of steps that represent the neural or endocrine mechanisms involved in response regulation.

Integration of reflexes

The cooperation of neural and endocrine systems to maintain homeostasis during complex physiological responses.