Communication and Homeostasis Keywords

A list of keywords and their definitions for the communication and homeostasis section of the OCR A2 Biology course

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Stimulus

Stimulus

A change in the environment that causes a response

E.g An increase  in temperature

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Homeostasis

Homeostasis

Maintenance of the internal environment in a constant state despite external changes

E.g Body Temperature

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Excretion

Excretion

The removal of metabolic waste from the body

E.g Sweating

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Endotherms

Endotherms

An organism that can use internal sources of heat e.g metabolism from liver

E.g Human

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Response

Response

A change in behaviour or physiology as a result of the stimulus

E.g Sweating - after raise in temperature

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Negative feedback

Negative Feedback

A process that brings about the reversal of any change in conditions

E.g Too hot => sweat => cool down

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Sensory receptor

Sensory Receptor

Something that recognises the change in conditions

E.g Baroreceptor (blood pressure)

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Ectotherms

Ectotherms

An organism that relies on external sources of heat to regulate body temperature

E.g Snake

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Cell signalling

Cell signalling

Where one cell releases a chemical that is detected by a second cell which will then respond

E.g Neuronal & Hormonal

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Positive Feedback

Positive Feedback

A process that increases any change detected by receptors

E.g Childbirth

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Oxytocin

Oxytocin

A hormone involed in increasing uterine contractions

E.g childbirth

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Temperature Regulation

Temperature Regulation

Ensuring that temperature remains at a fairly constant rate

E.g Negative Feedback

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