Flashcard: Introduction to Human Physiology — 24 carte

Homeostasis — definition?

Maintaining internal stability despite external changes.

Blood glucose levels — regulation?

Controlled by insulin and glucagon hormones.

Negative feedback — mechanism?

Counteracts deviations to restore balance.

Stimulus — role?

Triggers a response in the body.

Receptor — function?

Detects specific stimuli and sends signals.

Control centre — role?

Processes information and directs responses.

Effector — function?

Carries out the response to stimuli.

Response — definition?

The body's reaction to a stimulus.

Sensory receptors — types?

Photoreceptors, mechanoreceptors, thermoreceptors, chemoreceptors.

Distribution of touch receptors — affects?

Sensitivity of body parts.

Nervous system components — main parts?

CNS and PNS.

CNS — includes?

Brain and spinal cord.

PNS — includes?

Nerves outside CNS.

Neuron — structure?

Dendrites, cell body, axon, synapse.

Neuron — function?

Transmit electrical signals.

Sensory neuron — role?

Detect stimuli, send to CNS.

Motor neuron — role?

Carry signals from CNS to effectors.

Interneuron — role?

Connect sensory and motor neurons in CNS.

Neural communication — process?

Action potential and neurotransmitter release.

Reflex action — characteristic?

Involuntary, rapid response.

Spinal cord — role in reflexes?

Processes and initiates reflex responses.

Endocrine system — function?

Secretes hormones to regulate body functions.

Hormones — travel via?

Bloodstream to target cells.

Insulin — effect?

Lowers blood glucose levels.