A-level Biology - 3.4.1 Control Systems Involve Stimulus and Response
Receptors are specialized cells or proteins that detect changes in the environment called stimuli. They convert these stimuli into electrical signals, which are then sent to the nervous system to trigger an appropriate response.
What do receptors do?
Detect stimuli
Key Terms
What do receptors do?
Detect stimuli
What can receptors be?
Cells or proteins on cell surface membranes
What are effectors?
Cells that bring about a response to stimulus to produce an effect
Give examples of types of effectors cells
Muscle cells and cells found in glands e.g. pancreas
How do receptors communicate with effectors?
Via nervous system and/or hormonal system
Name 3 types of neurones
Sensory neurones
Motor neurones
Intermediate/relay neurones
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
What do receptors do? | Detect stimuli |
What can receptors be? | Cells or proteins on cell surface membranes |
What are effectors? | Cells that bring about a response to stimulus to produce an effect |
Give examples of types of effectors cells | Muscle cells and cells found in glands e.g. pancreas |
How do receptors communicate with effectors? | Via nervous system and/or hormonal system |
Name 3 types of neurones | Sensory neurones Motor neurones Intermediate/relay neurones |
What do sensory neurones do? | Transmit electrical impulses from receptors to the CNS - the brain and spinal cord |
What do motor neurones do? | Transmit electrical impulses from CNS to effectors |
What do relay neurones do? | Transmit electrical impulses between sensory neurones and motor neurones |
State the 5 stages of a response to a stimulus |
|
What the central nervous system (CNS) made up of? | Brain and spinal cord |
What is the peripheral nervous system (PNS) made up of? | Neurones that connect the CNS to the rest of the body |
What does the somatic nervous system control? | Conscious activities e.g running and playing video games |
What does the autonomic nervous system control? | Controls unconscious activities e.g. digestion |
What does the sympathetic nervous system do? | Gets the body ready for action - ‘flight or fight’ system |
What does the parasympathetic nervous system do? | Calms the body down - ‘rest and digest’ system |
What is a reflex? | When body responds to stimulus without making a conscious decision to respond |
What is a reflex arc? | Pathway of neurones linking receptors to effectors in a reflex |
Describe the simple reflex arc for a hand-withdrawal response to heat | Thermoreceptors in skin detect heat stimulus Sensory neurone carries impulses to relay neurone Relay neurone connects to motor neurone Motor neurone sends impulses to effector Muscle contracts to withdraw your hand and stop it being damaged |
What does it mean if there’s a relay neurone involved in a simple reflex arc? | It’s possible to override the reflex e.g. your brain could tell your hand to withstand the heat |
Explain how nervous communication is localised | When electrical impulse reaches end of neurone = neurotransmitters are secreted directly onto target cells |
Explain how nervous communication is short-lived | Neurotransmitters are quickly removed once they’ve done their job |
State the 2 types of responses that simple mobile organisms have to keep them in a favourable environment | Tactic (taxes) Kinetic (kineses) |
Define taxes | Organisms move towards or away from a directional stimulus e.g. light |
Define kineses | Organisms' movement is affected by non-directional stimulus e.g. humidity |
Give an example of taxes | e.g. woodlice show tactic response to light (phototaxis) Move away from light source Helps them to survive ∵ it keeps them concealed under stones during the day (where they're safe from predators) & keeps them in damp conditions (reduces water loss) |
Give an example of kineses | e.g. woodlice show kinetic response to humidity High humidity = move slowly and turn less often = so they stay where they are Air gets drier = move faster and turn more often = move into new area Response increases chance woodlouse will move to area with higher humidity Improves survival chances of organisms = reduces their water loss & keeps them concealed |
Explain the importance of relfex actions (3) | Automatic / involuntary Prevents injury Role in homeostasis |