Coordination and Response in Humans

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture on human coordination and response, including the roles of the nervous and endocrine systems, reflex actions, types of stimuli and responses, and relevant health issues.

What are the components of human coordination in order?

Stimulus, Receptor, Integration Centre, Effector, Response.

What is a stimulus?

A change in the external or internal environment that can be detected.

What role does the receptor play in coordination?

Special sensory cells/organs that detect the stimulus.

What is the function of the integration centre in the human body?

Receives impulses from receptors, processes and interprets the information, and sends out impulses to effectors.

What is an effector?

The organ that carries out a response to a stimulus.

Give an example of a response in the body.

Pulling hand away from a hot object or sweating when hot.

What are external stimuli?

Changes detected from the environment outside the body, e.g. temperature, light, sound.

Define internal stimuli.

Changes that occur inside the body, e.g. body temperature, blood pressure.

What is a chemoreceptor?

A type of sensory receptor that detects chemicals.

What do mechanoreceptors detect?

Touch, pressure, vibration, or stretch.

What is the function of nociceptors?

To detect pain caused by extreme temperature, pressure, or damaging chemicals.

Why is it necessary for humans to respond to stimuli?

To maintain homeostasis, increase chances of survival, and protect from harm.

What is the difference between the somatic and autonomic nervous system?

Somatic nervous system controls voluntary actions, while autonomic nervous system controls involuntary actions.

What function does the cerebrum serve in the brain?

Controls higher mental activities such as thinking, reasoning, and movement.

What are the roles of the hypothalamus?

Controls the autonomic nervous system, regulates homeostasis, and controls the endocrine system.

What triggers the 'fight or flight' response?

Detected danger that activates the sympathetic nervous system.

What are some effects of adrenaline during a 'fight or flight' situation?

Increased heart rate, blood pressure, and glucose levels.

What happens at a synapse?

Neurotransmitters are released from the presynaptic neuron and bind to the postsynaptic neuron to transmit impulses.

Define a reflex action.

A rapid, automatic, involuntary response to a stimulus.

What is the basic structure of a reflex arc?

Receptor → Sensory neurone → Relay neurone (if present) → Motor neurone → Effector.

What is the effect of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?

Muscle weakness, movement problems, vision and speech difficulties.

What is the primary neurotransmitter affected in Parkinson’s Disease?

Dopamine.

What are the symptoms of Epilepsy?

Seizures, convulsions, unusual behavior.

What is the primary role of insulin?

Lowers blood glucose levels by promoting its uptake in cells.

What hormone is involved in water balance and what happens during its deficiency?

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH); deficiency causes diabetes insipidus, leading to large volumes of dilute urine.

What is ADHD and what are its characteristics?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; characterized by hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and short attention span.