Affect specific target organs with
specific receptor proteins in membrane
Specific because of specific tertiary structure which
means only complementary shaped hormone can
bind to (Receptors have specific binding sites
Slow transmission speed
Travel to all parts of body via blood
Long lasting response
Homeostasis =
maintaining a
constant internal
environment
regardless of
changes in
external
Important for: Enzymes (pH and temperature so no
denature), Water potential so no osmotic problems and
allowing organisms to live in a range of environments
Generally works via negative
feedback: Deviation from
norm -> Receptors detect ->
Effectors stimulated -> Norm
restored
Temperature control
Endotherms: body
temperature
independent of
environment (rely on
physiological means)
Heat Gain Centre Stuff
Vasoconstriction = skin
arterioles constrict +
shunt vessels dilate, so
blood goes away from
skin so less radiation
heat loss
Piloerection = erector pili muscles
contract + hairs erect so more
insulation
Increased metabolic
rate = adrenaline
secreted, metabolic
rate increased so
heat production
increased
Shivering = rapid
contractions, increasing
respiration so more heat
released
More Brown fat oxidation = tissue under skin, rapidly oxidising releases heat
Heat Loss Centre Stuff
Vasodilation =
Arteriole muscle
walls of skin relax
+ shunt vessels
constrict so more
heat lost by
radiation
Decreased metabolic rate = less
adrenaline released so less heat
produced
Sweating = vasodilation causes more blood
to sweat glands so more sweat released
Sweat evaporates using heat
Less brown fa is oxidised
Ectotherms: rely on behavioural mechanisms
Behavioural mechanisms
Basking in the Sun to become more active
Shifting between
Sun and shade
depending on
temperature/
retreating to
burrow
Changing posture
Ectotherms may also change skin
colour to absorb less heat or reduce
blood flow to areas
Heat transfer mechanisms
Conduction: Transferring
heat between molecules
Convection: Transfer of heat between molecules moving in fluid
Radiation: Heat transfer BC electromagnetic emission
Temperature detected by skin
receptors which send impulses to
brain which initiates responses
Hypothalimus = Controler
Heat gain centre = generate and conserve heat
Heat loss centre = causing heat to be lost
Positive feedback
Normally
happens when
a breakdown of
control
When deviation from a
norm leads to further
deviation
Hyperthermia = heat loss mechanisms
are overwhelmed causing elevated body
temp. Increased body temp causes
enzymes to work faster + so metabolic
rate increases. This produces more heat
so enzymes work even faster until
denature
Normally prevented by thermoregulation
Differs from fever BC fever is where norm is just elevated
Hypothermia = heat gain system
overwhelmed, cold means decreased enzyme
activity and so metabolic rate slows, so less
heat is produced so enzymes slow further
from optimum. This may eventually result in
death
Blood Glucose Concentration Control
G Words
Glycogenesis = making glycogen
Glycogenolysis =
glycogen -> glucose
Gluconeogenesis =
Making glucose
from non carbs
(amino acids)
So when low blood sugar, detected by
Islets of Langerhans which stimulate
alpha cells to produce glucagon,
which targets mainly liver cells. It
binds to specific receptor proteins on
cell membrane and increases blood
glucose levels by:
Activating glycogenolysis enzymes
Activating glucneogenesis enzymes
Adrenaline is also
released which increases
blood sugar levels via
second messenger
model:
Adrenaline binds to
receptor site, activating
membrane enzyme.
Enzyme converts ATP to
cyclic AMP, which activates
other enzymes which
convert glycogen to
glucose
Beta cells secrete insulin
(For high blood sugar)
So when high blood sugar, Islets
of Langerhans detects and beta
sells secrete insulin into blood,
going to liver to its target cells,
binding to specific glycoprotein
receptors Insulin then:
Increases uptake
of glucose by cells
Insulin inserts extra
carrier proteins into
the membrane from
cell's cytoplasm
(increasing
permeability)
Activates glycogenesis enzymes
Activates glucose -> fat enzymes
Increases respiration rates of cells
Diabetes =
Inability to control
blood glucose
levels effectively
Type 1 = body cannot produce
insulin (Maybe due to body
destroying beta cells)
Treated by insulin injections and monitoring blood glucose levels
Type 2 = loss of responsiveness of target cells to insulin
Treated by monitoring diet
Chemical Mediators
Secreted by cells to act
locally on themselves
and cells near them
Inflammatory response
Prostaglandins
Vasodilates arterioles to increase blood flow so more phagocytes to area
Clots blood so no infection
Stimulate histamine production
Histamines (Secreted
by mast cells)
Makes capillary walls more permeable so plasma and phagocytes enter damaged tissue
Responsible for allergic reactions
Can be secreted
by not glands,
local response
and diffuse
quickly to target
cells