10 Questions
What is the definition of homeostasis?
The maintenance of constant conditions in the internal environment of the body
What is the consequence of failure of homeostasis?
Disease
What is the purpose of homeostasis in the body?
To maintain a stable internal environment
What type of feedback loop is often associated with instability and death?
Positive feedback loop
What is an example of a situation where homeostasis is maintained?
When the body is going for a run
What is the role of the respiratory system in maintaining homeostasis?
To pick up oxygen and release carbon dioxide
What is the significance of homeostasis in the brain?
It permits proper functioning of the brain
What is the advantage of homeostasis in terms of survival?
It increases the chances of survival
What is the role of the circulatory system in maintaining homeostasis?
To maintain continuous movement of blood
What is the general direction of the response in a negative feedback loop?
Opposite to the stimulus
Study Notes
What is Homeostasis?
- Homeostasis is the maintenance of constant conditions in the internal environment of the body.
- It is essential to maintain constant conditions in the internal environment, since normal cell function depends upon this constancy.
Importance of Homeostasis
- Allows freedom to live in a variety of conditions.
- Permits proper functioning of the brain.
- Increases chances of survival.
Limitations of Homeostasis
- Homeostasis is not unlimited, meaning that the body can resist changes in the internal environment but to a variable range and time.
- Failure of homeostasis leads to disease.
Examples of Homeostasis
- When you go for a run, different body organs cooperate to maintain homeostasis (stable internal environment).
Feedback Loops
Negative Feedback Loop
- The response is opposite to the stimulus (disturbance).
- Most control systems act by this process.
Positive Feedback Loop
- The response is in the same direction as the stimulus.
- Leads to instability and often to death, representing failure of homeostasis.
- However, it can be useful in certain situations, such as uterine contraction and blood clotting.
Homeostatic Mechanisms of Major Functional Systems
Circulatory System
- Continuous movement of blood in the circulatory system.
Respiratory System
- Blood picks up oxygen and releases carbon dioxide into the alveoli while passing through the lungs.
Learn about homeostasis, the maintenance of constant conditions in the body's internal environment, and its importance for normal cell function. Discover the advantages of homeostasis.
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