Topic 5 - Homeostasis - Key Terms
Key Tem Definition
ADH Anti-diuretic hormone. It controls the water content of blood.
adrenaline A hormone produced by the adrenal glands in response to fear/stress which
increases heart rate and boosts delivery of blood to brain.
auxin Promotes cell growth and elongation of the plant.
central nervous The brain and spinal cord which coordinate the response of effectors.
system (CNS)
cerebellum Controls balance, co-ordination of movement and muscular activity.
cerebral cortex The outer layer of the brain.
ciliary muscles A circular ring of of muscle that surrounds the lens.
contraception A barrier that prevents sperm entering the vagina.
coordination centres Areas of the body like the brain, spinal chord and pancreas that receive and
process information from receptors.
dialysis A method of treating kidney failure/disease where the blood is artificially
filtered to remove waste and toxins
effectors Muscles/glands which bring about responses which restore optimum levels.
endocrine system The system that secretes hormones into the bloodstream from glands
throughout the body.
follicle stimulating A female reproductive hormone that causes the maturation of an egg in the
hormone (FSH) ovary.
gibberellins A type of plant hormone which initiates seed germination.
glucagon A hormone produced by the pancreas that causes glycogen to be converted
into glucose and released into the blood.
gravitropism Response to the stimulus of gravity.
homeostasis The regulation of the internal conditions of a cell or organism to maintain
optimum conditions for function in response to internal and external changes.
hormones Chemical messengers released by glands into the blood and are carried to a
target organ/organs.
hyperopia A defect of the eye where nearby objects appear out of focus. It is also called
long sightedness.
insulin A hormone released by the pancreas which regulates glucose concentrations in
the blood.
medulla Controls unconscious activities ie heart rate and breathing rate.
motor neurones Carry electrical impulses away from the central nervous system. The neuron
ends in either a muscle/gland, which are effectors.
myopia A defect of the eye where distant objects appear out of focus. It is also called
short sightedness.
nerve A bundle of fibres that receives and sends messages between the body and the
brain.
neurones Adapted to carry electrical impulses from one place to another.
oestrogen The main female reproductive hormone which causes the uterus lining to grow
and repair.
ovaries An organ in the female reproductive system which produces and stores the egg
cells.
ovulation The release of an egg from an ovary during the menstrual cycle.
phototropism A plant’s directional growth response to light.
pituitary gland A gland that secrets several hormones into the blood in response to the body’s
Key Tem Definition
ADH Anti-diuretic hormone. It controls the water content of blood.
adrenaline A hormone produced by the adrenal glands in response to fear/stress which
increases heart rate and boosts delivery of blood to brain.
auxin Promotes cell growth and elongation of the plant.
central nervous The brain and spinal cord which coordinate the response of effectors.
system (CNS)
cerebellum Controls balance, co-ordination of movement and muscular activity.
cerebral cortex The outer layer of the brain.
ciliary muscles A circular ring of of muscle that surrounds the lens.
contraception A barrier that prevents sperm entering the vagina.
coordination centres Areas of the body like the brain, spinal chord and pancreas that receive and
process information from receptors.
dialysis A method of treating kidney failure/disease where the blood is artificially
filtered to remove waste and toxins
effectors Muscles/glands which bring about responses which restore optimum levels.
endocrine system The system that secretes hormones into the bloodstream from glands
throughout the body.
follicle stimulating A female reproductive hormone that causes the maturation of an egg in the
hormone (FSH) ovary.
gibberellins A type of plant hormone which initiates seed germination.
glucagon A hormone produced by the pancreas that causes glycogen to be converted
into glucose and released into the blood.
gravitropism Response to the stimulus of gravity.
homeostasis The regulation of the internal conditions of a cell or organism to maintain
optimum conditions for function in response to internal and external changes.
hormones Chemical messengers released by glands into the blood and are carried to a
target organ/organs.
hyperopia A defect of the eye where nearby objects appear out of focus. It is also called
long sightedness.
insulin A hormone released by the pancreas which regulates glucose concentrations in
the blood.
medulla Controls unconscious activities ie heart rate and breathing rate.
motor neurones Carry electrical impulses away from the central nervous system. The neuron
ends in either a muscle/gland, which are effectors.
myopia A defect of the eye where distant objects appear out of focus. It is also called
short sightedness.
nerve A bundle of fibres that receives and sends messages between the body and the
brain.
neurones Adapted to carry electrical impulses from one place to another.
oestrogen The main female reproductive hormone which causes the uterus lining to grow
and repair.
ovaries An organ in the female reproductive system which produces and stores the egg
cells.
ovulation The release of an egg from an ovary during the menstrual cycle.
phototropism A plant’s directional growth response to light.
pituitary gland A gland that secrets several hormones into the blood in response to the body’s
