What is the stimulus response model?

Stimulus -> receptors -> control centre -> effector -> response

What are receptors used for?

To detect changes in the environment.

What do mechanoreceptors detect?

Changes in pressure.

What type of receptors detect harmful stimuli?

Nociceptors.

What do thermoreceptors detect?

Changes in temperature.

What are photoreceptors responsible for?

Detecting light; cones for color and bright light, rods for low light.

What is the role of the cochlea?

Detects vibrations in the air related to sound.

What is the function of chemoreceptors?

Detects smells and tastes.

What does the central nervous system (CNS) consist of?

The brain and spinal cord.

What is the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

Nerves that carry messages to and from the CNS.

What are the two parts of the autonomic nervous system?

Sympathetic system (fight or flight) and parasympathetic system (rest and digest).

What do sensory neurons do?

Transmit sensory information to the brain and spinal cord (afferent).

What is the function of motor neurons?

Carry messages from the CNS to effectors (efferent).

What is the difference between normal stimulus response and reflex arcs?

Normal responses go to the brain; reflex arcs send signals to the spinal cord and back to effectors automatically.

What is the synapse?

The space between two neurons where neurotransmitters are released.

What are neurotransmitters?

Chemicals that carry messages from one neuron to another.

What is the difference between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters?

Excitatory neurotransmitters assist transmission; inhibitory neurotransmitters prevent it.

What is serotonin?

An example of an inhibitory neurotransmitter that makes neurons less likely to fire.

What is the function of proprioceptors?

Sense movement and position of the body in space.

What is the role of the pituitary gland?

To control growth and to send hormones to control other glands.

How do hormones travel in the endocrine system?

Through the bloodstream to specific target cells.

What is the 'lock and key' model in relation to hormones?

Hormones fit into specific receptors on target cells, affecting only those cells.

What is the main role of the hypothalamus?

To link the nervous system and endocrine system, responding to changes in the internal environment.

What does the fight or flight response involve?

Release of adrenaline and cortisol, increasing heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure.

What is the structure of a neuron?

Contains a nucleus, cell membrane, cytoplasm, dendrites, axon, and axon terminals.

What is the role of myelin sheaths?

To insulate electrical messages and increase the speed of nerve impulses.

What is the difference between afferent and efferent neurons?

Afferent neurons send sensory information to the CNS, while efferent neurons carry messages from the CNS to effectors.

What is a reflex arc?

The process involving sensory and motor neurons in the PNS and interneurons in the CNS that allows for automatic responses.

What are the 3 types of neurons?

Sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons.

What is the function of the adrenal gland?

To produce adrenaline.

What does the pancreas regulate?

Sugar levels in the body.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of a constant internal environment

Endocrine and nervous system

Work to maintain homeostasis

Stress in the body

Occurs when conditions go above or below range, making survival not possible

Feedback loops

Body uses feedback loops to respond to changes

Negative feedback loops

Counteract stimulus to bring back to normal range

Positive feedback loops

Enhances stimulus to bring further away from normal range

Negative feedback loop process

Normal value -> stimulus -> receptor -> control centre -> effector -> response -> negative feedback -> normal value

Purpose of negative feedback loop

Used to maintain internal conditions in homeostasis range

Example of negative feedback

Body temp decreases -> response is to activate heating mechanisms in the body

Positive feedback loop response

Responds to a stimulus by increasing it further

Example of positive feedback

When skin is cut, platelets in blood release clotting factors, which triggers more to form

Thermoregulation

Our body's system of temperature control

Endotherms

(Warm blooded) Maintains a stable internal body temperature

Ectotherms

(Cold blooded) Body temperature changes depending on the environment

How heat is generated

Respiration in cells, muscle use in exercise, heat absorbed from sun and surroundings

How heat is lost

Heat radiates from our skin

Glucose

Free sugar

Glycogen

Stored sugar

Glucagon

Hormone

Insulin

Glycogen stimulating hormone

Insulin

A hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood sugar levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells.

Glucagon

A hormone that raises blood glucose levels by promoting the conversion of stored glycogen in the liver back into glucose.

Glycogen

A stored form of glucose found in the liver and muscles, which can be converted back to glucose when needed.

Frontal Lobe

Responsible for reasoning, planning, problem-solving, and emotional regulation.

Parietal Lobe

Processes sensory information such as touch, temperature, and pain.

Temporal Lobe

Involved in auditory processing, memory, and language comprehension.

Occipital Lobe

Primarily responsible for visual processing and interpretation.

Cerebellum

Coordinates voluntary movements and maintains posture and balance.

Brainstem

Controls basic life functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.

Hormone definition

a chemical messenger from a gland that travels through the bloodstream to another gland