Year 11 students, check the dates!

Homeostasis & response

Cells in the body can only survive within narrow physical and chemical limits. They require a constant temperature and pH as well as a constant supply of dissolved food and water. In order to do this the body requires control systems that constantly monitor and adjust the composition of the blood and tissues. These control systems include receptors which sense changes and effectors that bring about changes. In this section we will explore the structure and function of the nervous system and how it can bring about fast responses. We will also explore the hormonal system which usually brings about much slower changes. Hormonal coordination is particularly important in reproduction since it controls the menstrual cycle. An understanding of the role of hormones in reproduction has allowed scientists to develop not only contraceptive drugs but also drugs which can increase fertility.

Principles of Homeostasis

The Human Nervous System

Reflex Actions

Principles of hormonal control

Controlling blood sugar

Treating diabetes

The role of negative feedback (H)

Human reproduction

Hormones & the menstrual cycle (H)

Artificial control of fertility

Fertility treatments (H)

Principles of Homeostasis

Lesson Objectives - After this topic you should know:

1. Why it is important to control your internal environment
2. The key elements of control systems.

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The Human Nervous System

Lesson Objectives - After this topic you should know:

1. Why you need a nervous system
2. How the structure of the nervous system is adapted to its function.
3. How receptors allow you to respond to changes in your surroundings.

Required Practical 7

- Investigation into the effect of a named factor into reaction time.

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Reflex Actions

Lesson Objectives - After this topic you should know:

1. What reflexes are.
2. How reflexes work.
3. Why reflexes are important to your body.

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The Brain (T)

Lesson Objectives - After this topic you should know:

1. What the main areas of the brain do.
2. How scientists find out about the structure and the function of the brain (H).

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The Eye (T)

Lesson Objectives - After this topic you should know:

1. The main parts of the human eye and how their structures are related to their functions.
2. How the eye focuses light.

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Common Problems of the Eye (T)

Lesson Objectives - After this topic you should know:

1. How the eye focuses on near and distant objects.
2. What happens in short-sightedness and long sightedness and how these problems can be solved.

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Principles of hormonal control

Lesson Objectives - After this topic you should know:

1. What a hormone is.
2. The main organs of the endocrine system.
3. The role of the pituitary gland.

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Controlling blood sugar

Lesson Objectives - After this topic you should know:

1. The role of the pancreas in monitoring and controlling blood glucose concentration.
2. How insulin controls blood glucose levels in the body.
3. How glucagon and insulin interact to control blood glucose levels (H).
4. What causes diabetes.

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