Questions and Answers
What is homeostasis?
What is the average human body temperature considered to be the set point?
98.6°F (37°C)
Which of the following is an example of a variable and its normal range?
What role do receptors play in the body?
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What are stimuli?
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What is the function of a control center in homeostasis?
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What is the role of effectors in homeostasis?
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What is the afferent pathway?
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What is the efferent pathway?
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What components comprise a homeostatic control system?
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Study Notes
Homeostasis
- Homeostasis is the body's ability to maintain stable internal conditions despite external changes.
- The internal environment refers to the fluid surrounding cells.
- Failure to maintain homeostasis can result in serious conditions like diabetes, dehydration, hyperthermia, and allergic reactions.
Set Point
- Warm-blooded animals, including humans, maintain a core body temperature different from surrounding temperatures.
- Average human body temperature is 98.6°F (37°C); this consistent temperature is known as the set point.
- Set points vary for different physiological parameters, such as glucose (85 mg/dL) and sodium (142 mmol/L).
Variables & Normal Range
- The body uses organs and systems to keep variables close to their set points or within normal ranges.
- Body temperature generally remains between 98°F and 100°F even when environmental temperatures fluctuate significantly, from 68°F to 130°F.
Receptor
- Receptors act as sensors that monitor environmental changes and detect variations in variables.
Stimuli
- Changes in variables due to external or internal conditions are referred to as stimuli.
Control Center
- After a receptor detects a change, it relays the information to a control center, often located in the brain.
- The control center determines the set point and decides how to correct deviations.
Effectors
- Effectors are instructed by control centers to enact changes to correct deviations.
- In temperature regulation, the hypothalamus functions as the control center, while effectors include skeletal muscles (shivering), sweat glands (sweating), and blood vessels.
- Temporary changes in the set point can occur, as with a fever, which aids the immune response against infections.
Afferent Pathway
- Communication towards the control center from receptors is called the afferent pathway.
- This pathway facilitates the transfer of information necessary for homeostasis.
Efferent Pathway
- The efferent pathway describes information flow from the control center to effectors in the body, enabling corrective actions.
Homeostatic Control System
- The homeostatic control system encompasses receptors, afferent pathways, control centers, efferent pathways, and effectors.
- All body tissues and organs participate in this system, contributing to the maintenance of a stable internal environment.
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Description
Test your knowledge on homeostasis and the body's ability to maintain stable internal conditions. This quiz covers concepts such as set points, variables, and the role of receptors. Explore how the body regulates temperature and other vital parameters.
