Topics 4.6.1, 4.6.3 + 4.6.4 - Homeostasis, Thermoregulation and Control of Blood Glucose

Automatic control systems in the body keep it's conditions at a constant level
Control systems include:
- Cells called receptors- which detect stimuli (changes in the environment)
- Coordination centres- which recieve and process information from the receptors
- Effectors- bring about the responses
Receptors are found in many organs including:
- Eyes- sensitive to light
- Ears- sensitive to sound and changes in position
- Tongue and inside the nose- sensitive to chemicals
- Skin- sensitive to touch, pressure, pain and temperature changes
- Brain- sensitive to blood temperature and the blood's water concentration levels
- Pancreas- sensitive to the amount of glucose in the blood
Coordination centres include the brain, the spinal chord and the pancreas
Many processes are coordinated by chemical substances called hormones
- They are secreted by glands and are usually transported to their target organs in the bloodstream
Internal conditions that are controlled include:
- Temperature
- Water content of the body
- Ion content of the body
- Blood glucose levels
Body temperature is controlled and monitored by the thermoregulatory centre in the brain
- It has receptors sensitive to the temperature of the blood flowing through the brain
If core body…

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