Biology Paper 2 Notes and Flashcards

What is homeostasis?

The maintenance of a constant internal environment.

What is the role of the pancreas in maintaining blood glucose levels?

The pancreas produces insulin to lower blood glucose levels and glucagon to increase blood glucose levels.

What is the central nervous system composed of?

The brain and spinal cord.

What happens at a synapse between two nerve cells?

Chemical signals are released to initiate another electrical impulse in the next nerve cell.

Where is the pituitary gland located?

In the brain.

What hormone is produced by the adrenal glands?

Adrenaline.

What do the ovaries produce?

Estrogen and eggs.

What are the two types of diabetes?

Type one and type two diabetes.

What triggers the release of insulin from the pancreas?

Rising blood glucose levels after a meal.

What is the function of glucagon?

To raise blood glucose levels by converting glycogen back to glucose.

What is the role of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)?

To make the small egg grow into a larger egg.

What method of contraception is a barrier method?

Condom.

What do hormonal contraceptives do?

They prevent the release or implantation of an egg.

What is IVF?

In vitro fertilization, a procedure to help people conceive when they cannot have children naturally.

What is the outcome of mitosis?

Two identical daughter cells.

What is the purpose of meiosis?

To produce gametes for sexual reproduction.

What are haploid cells?

Cells that have half the number of DNA as the original cell.

What are gametes in humans?

Sperm and eggs.

What is a chromosome?

Bundled up DNA.

What hormone is responsible for the maturation of eggs?

Estrogen.

What happens to the lining of the uterus if there is no implantation?

It breaks down.

What type of reproduction results in genetically identical populations?

Asexual reproduction using mitosis.

What is a genome?

All the genes in a body.

What is an example of a non-hormonal contraceptive?

Diaphragm.

What are two symptoms of diabetes?

Increased thirst and blurry vision.

What increases during the menstrual cycle in women?

Estrogen and progesterone.

What does adrenaline prepare the body for?

Fight-or-flight response.

How many divisions occur in meiosis?

Two divisions.

What are the male and female gametes in plants?

Pollen (male) and eggs (female).

What is the stored form of glucose?

Glycogen.

What is a major side effect of IVF drugs?

Increased risk of various types of cancer.

What is a reflex action?

An automatic response to a stimulus that does not involve conscious thought.

What is a key characteristic of asexual reproduction?

It produces genetically identical offspring.

What happens when blood glucose levels fall too low?

The pancreas produces glucagon.

What is the time frame of luteinizing hormone activity?

Very short period.

What is a common form of treatment for type one diabetes?

Insulin injections.

What structures in the endocrine system are responsible for hormone production?

Glands such as the pancreas, pituitary, thyroid, ovaries, and adrenal glands.

What does the CNS do?

Processes information and coordinates responses.

What initiates a chemical signal at the synapse?

The release of neurotransmitters.

What leads to the diversity in meiosis?

Crossing over of chromosome segments.

What are some psychological effects of infertility?

Sadness and mental health struggles.

How is the lining of the uterus affected after menstruation?

It breaks down if no embryo is implanted.

What hormonal changes occur during the menstrual cycle?

Rises and falls of FSH, luteinizing hormone, estrogen, and progesterone.

What do sperm and eggs represent?

The male and female gametes, respectively.