biology topic 5 - homeostasis and response

• What is the brain made up of?

  Billions of interconnected nerve cells
• What functions does the brain perform?

  Holds thoughts, memories, and complex behaviors
• What are some complex behaviors controlled by the brain?

  Choosing clothes, running, and reading
• What are the main regions of the brain and their functions?

  • Cerebral cortex: consciousness, intelligence, memory, language, vision, hearing
  • Cerebellum: balance and muscle coordination
  • Hypothalamus: regulates body temperature and signals pituitary gland
  • Brain stem: connects brain to spinal cord, controls unconscious activities
• What is the cerebral cortex responsible for?

  Consciousness, intelligence, memory, and language
• How do the hemispheres of the brain function?

  Left controls right side; right controls left side
• What is the role of the cerebellum?

  Controls balance and muscle coordination
• What does the hypothalamus regulate?

  Body temperature and signals to the pituitary gland
• What connects the brain to the spinal cord?

  The brain stem
• What does the medulla control?

  Unconscious activities like breathing and heartbeat
• What are the methods scientists use to study the brain?

  1. Studying brain damage (e.g., strokes)
  2. Electrically stimulating brain parts
  3. Scanning techniques (CT, PET, MRI)
• How can studying brain damage help scientists?

  It indicates which brain regions control functions
• What happens when a specific brain region is electrically stimulated?

  It may cause muscle contractions or visual changes
• What do CT scans primarily show?

  Areas of the brain that are damaged
• What do PET and MRI scans measure?

  Underlying activity of the brain
• What might happen in an MRI machine when shown sad images?

  Specific brain parts appear brighter
• Why is treating the brain difficult?

  Complexity, fragility, and range of issues
• What are some issues that can affect the brain?

  Tumors, infections, trauma, and mental health problems
• Why is surgery on the brain challenging?

  It's encased in the skull and fragile
• Why are drugs and chemicals difficult to use for brain treatment?

  We don't fully understand brain processes
• What are the challenges in treating brain conditions?

  • Wide range of potential issues
  • Fragile structure encased in skull
  • Complexity and lack of understanding
• What is homeostasis?

  Process of maintaining a stable internal environment
• Why do cells need homeostasis?

  To function properly under optimal conditions
• What conditions must be regulated for cells to function?

  Temperature, acidity, glucose, and water
• How does the body regulate internal conditions?

  By keeping levels around the right bounds
• What is the definition of homeostasis?

  Regulation of conditions to maintain stability
• How does homeostasis respond to external changes?

  It maintains internal conditions despite external changes
• What happens when you walk in the snow regarding homeostasis?

  Your body regulates to maintain 37 degrees
• What are the three main components of automatic control systems?

  Receptors, coordination centers, and effectors
• What do receptors do in homeostasis?

  Detect changes in conditions
• What role do coordination centers play?

  Interpret changes and decide actions
• What are effectors in the context of homeostasis?

  Muscles or glands that carry out changes
• How do the nervous and endocrine systems communicate?

  Through electrical impulses and hormones
• How does the nervous system respond to stimuli?

  By sending fast electrical impulses
• What is the nature of the endocrine system's response?

  Slower, longer-lasting, and more generalized
• What is the mechanism called that regulates homeostasis?

  Negative feedback
• How does negative feedback work?

  It reverses changes to return to normal
• What happens if glucose levels rise too high?

  Negative feedback decreases glucose levels
• What occurs when the temperature is too low?

  Receptors detect cold and signal muscles
• What is the role of shivering in homeostasis?

  It increases body temperature to normal