Glossary
Homeostasis is the body's attempt to maintain a constant and balanced internal environment, which requires persistent monitoring and adjustments as conditions change. This adjusting of physiological systems within the body is a continuous process, as the body actively works to maintain a state of balance.
Homeostasis
Operates at the cellular and systemic level
Regulates temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure for example
Essential for maintaining health and well-being
Is maintained by having a set point for each factor it regulates
The body detects changes from this set point and makes adjustments to bring the factor back to its ideal value.
Responds to internal and external changes
Internal- The concentration of various ions in your blood must be kept steady, along with pH and the concentration of glucose. If these values get too high or low, you can end up getting very sick.
External- When we are exposed to external stressors like heat, cold, or physical activity, our bodies respond in ways that help us adjust to these changes and maintain our internal balance. This can include sweating to cool down, shivering to warm up, or increasing our heart rate during physical activity to ensure that our cells continue to receive enough oxygen and nutrients.
Negative feedback loops
The process of maintaining homeostasis involves negative feedback loops.
Negative feedback loops are responsible for the stable equilibrium seen in homeostasis.
These loops act to oppose the stimulus, or cue, that triggers them
- For example, if your body temperature is too high, feedback mechanisms will be triggered to cool you down.
In conclusion, homeostasis is a key biological process that ensures a stable internal environment within the body. It operates at all levels, from the cellular to the systemic, and is essential for maintaining health and well-being. Without homeostasis, the body would not be able to function effectively, and survival would be compromised.