A level Biology Communication and Homeostasis FULL A* Summary Notes
10 views 0 purchase
Course
Unit 3
Institution
OCR
A level Biology Communication and Homeostasis FULL A* Summary Notes. Includes negative feedback, positive feedback, cell signalling, temperature control in ectotherms and endotherms. Suitable for GCSEs, A-levels, IB, Cambridge. Cheap and affordable notes by a TOP student. Completed easy notes for b...
Communication and homeostasis
the need for communication systems in multicellular organisms. To include the need for animals and
plants to respond to changes in the internal and external environment and to coordinate the activities of
different organs.
Cell activity is regulated by enzymes which can only work under certain conditions, e.g:
a suitable temp & pH
freedom from toxins & excess inhibitors
an aqueous medium for substrates
Cells ensure to maintain these conditions via communication systems.
Living things respond to changes in their environment. Environmental change = stimuli, organism changing
behaviour/physiology to balance the change = response.
Changing external environments
Environments external to the organism consist of air, water or soil.
External environments can change suddenly, e.g. transitioning from a dark burrow into direct sunlight,
or a predator suddenly approaching.
They can also change gradually as seasons pass, eliciting a gradual response, for example foxes
thickening coats in winter.
Changing internal environments
Often, cells inside organisms are bathed in tissue fluid – this is the internal environment.
Some of the products that cells make from substrates are toxic and movie into the tissue fluid – cells’
activities can alter their own environment. For example, if the waste product CO 2 builds up in tissue
fluid (stimulus), it alters the pH and disrupts proteins & enzymes. The organism will respond by
increasing breathing activity to remove this excess CO 2.
The internal environment of tissue fluid is maintained by the blood. Toxins in tissue fluid are likely to
enter back into the blood and be carried away for excretion.
the communication between cells by cell signalling. To include signalling between adjacent cells and
signalling between distant cells.
Cell signalling: the way in which cells communicate with each other.
Cell signalling occurs when a cell releases a chemical/molecule which is detected by another cell. The shape of
the signalling molecule is complementary to the shape of the receptor molecule.
The two main communication systems are:
1. neuronal system (signals between adjacent cells): interconnected network of neurones signal to each
other across synapse junctions. The response is rapid but short-term.
2. hormonal system (signals between distant cells): cells in an endocrine organ release a hormone, the
‘signal’, directly into the blood. The hormone is transported throughout the body but is only
recognised by target cells. The response is gradual but long-term.
the principles of homeostasis. To include the differences between receptors and effectors, and the
differences between negative feedback and positive feedback.
Homeostasis: maintaining a constant internal environment despite changes in external and internal factors.
The standard homeostasis response is: Aspects of homeostasis may include:
stimulus temp
blood glucose conc/salt conc
blood pressure
blood water potential
CO2 conc
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller rebakhalid. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $10.31. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
