Homeostasis and Regulation Flashcard

Front

What is reabsorption in the context of homeostasis?

Back

Reabsorption is the process during which 99% of the water and essential nutrients are returned to the blood vessels from the renal tubules in the kidneys.

Front

What is a positive feedback loop?

Back

A positive feedback loop is a process that amplifies a response or increases the output in a system. An example is childbirth, where the release of oxytocin increases contractions.

Front

What role do cytokinins play in plants?

Back

Cytokinins are plant hormones that promote cell division and delay leaf senescence, helping to keep leaves green and functional longer.

Front

What happens when blood glucose levels are low?

Back

When blood glucose levels are low, glucagon is released from the α cells of the pancreas, which stimulates the liver to release glucose into the bloodstream.

Front

What is the purpose of a feedback loop in biological systems?

Back

The purpose of a feedback loop is to maintain homeostasis by ensuring that conditions in the body remain stable.

Front

Define homeostasis.

Back

Homeostasis is the process by which living organisms regulate their internal environment to maintain stable, constant conditions despite external changes.

Front

What is the difference between negative and positive feedback mechanisms?

Back

Negative feedback mechanisms counteract changes to return a system to its set point, while positive feedback mechanisms enhance or amplify changes.

Front

Give an example of a negative feedback loop in the human body.

Back

An example of a negative feedback loop is the regulation of body temperature; when the body temperature rises, mechanisms such as sweating are activated to cool it down.

Front

What is the function of insulin in blood glucose regulation?

Back

Insulin is a hormone released from the β cells of the pancreas that lowers blood glucose levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells.

Front

What is the role of glucagon in blood glucose regulation?

Back

Glucagon is a hormone released from the α cells of the pancreas that raises blood glucose levels by promoting the conversion of glycogen to glucose in the liver.