Biology 3 - Regulating the human and natural environments
- Created by: Alice
- Created on: 01-04-15 13:59
Animals
Animals need to regulate their internal environment by getting rid of wastes like urea and carbon dioxide, and maintaining constant internal conditions.
Homeostasis
Homeostasis is the process where animals maintain constant internal levels for body temperature, water, ions, and sugar.
The Kidney
The kidney is an organ that filters wastes like urea from the blood and regulates the levels of water and ions in the blood.
Kidney failure
Kidney failure leads to a build-up of toxic wastes like urea, which can be fatal.
Kidney Transplants
Kidney transplants replace the damamged kidney but the transplanted kidney must be matched by tissue typing, to avoid rejection.
The Skin
The skin is the organ involved in temperature control.
Overheating
Overheating is prevented by sweating, haires lying flat, and vasodilation.
Overcooling
Overcooling is prevented by shivering, insulation, and vasoconstriction.
Blood glucose levels
Blood glucose levels are controlled by the hormones insulin and glucagon.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition where insulin is not made, resulting in a failure to control the blood glucose level.
Human Population
The human population is increasing, which is putting extra demand on the Earth's resources.
Human impact
Humans release pollutants into the air and water from agriculture, towns, and industry.
Deforestation
Deforestation is the process of removing large areas of natural woodland.
This can result in an increase in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, and loss of habitat.
Greenhouse gases
Carbon dioxide, and methane from rice fields and cattle, are greenhouse gases that lead to global warming.
Biofuels
Biofuels are fuels from biological materials, which do not contribute to global warming.
Food Production
Humans are increasing food production to feed the increasing population by producing protein foods from fungi like mycoprotein.
Food chains
Farming methods can be made energy efficient by reducting energy losses in food chains.
Overfishing
Overfishing had led to dwindling fish stocks.
Governments introduced quotas and changes to nets to prevent overfishing.
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