The internal bodily environment is made up of physiological variables such as body temperature, blood sugar levels and mineral concentrations yet organisms are required to function effectively in this wide range of conditions. Homeostasis is the ability of systems or organism to be able to regulate their internal environment and maintain a stable constant condition in a changing environment by the release of hormones into the blood stream. Homeostasis is maintained by mechanisms in the body and all organs and tissues of the body carry out different functions aimed at maintaining constant conditions in the internal environment.
[...] The increased metabolic activity results in a rise in the internal body temperature. When there is an imbalance in any of these mechanisms then the body cannot self- regulate its internal temperature and this can lead to diseases that affect the whole body and have adverse effects on the body in terms of either very high temperatures of very low temperatures (Richardson n.d.). Similarly the homeostatic mechanisms are used to regulate the water retained in the body in that when there is increased water build-up in the blood the hypothalamus which contains the osmoreceptor cells which secretes the ADH (antidiuretic hormone).This hormone controls the absorption of water from the blood into the body cells thus reducing the amount of water in the bloodstream. [...]
[...] Homeostasis is maintained by mechanisms in the body and all organs and tissues of the body carry out different functions aimed at maintaining constant conditions in the internal environment. Homeostasis is a mechanism by which the body maintains its own internal state of equilibrium even when there are changes in the external environment. This mechanism ensures that the body maintains a relatively stable state. The way this mechanism works can be described is a bit like the way a thermostat in a house or car engine cooling system works. [...]
[...] The receptor receives a stimulus and sends it to the control centre which sets the range at which the variable should be maintained and determines the appropriate response to particular stimuli. In most mechanisms the brain usually acts as the control centre. The control centre then sends the response to the effectors and after the response is received is when a change occurs to correct the deviation by either a positive or negative feedback. A negative feedback occurs when an increase in the variable that is being regulated causes a response that moves the variable in the direction opposite to the change. [...]
[...] If a negative feedback fails to achieve the desired response then the stress persists, leading to a disease. Positive feedback occurs when the body responds by a reaction that intensifies or increases the reaction that is happening. For example, during childbirth, the act of the baby being released from the mother through birth canal contractions causes the increase in oxytocin hormone which then increases the intensity of the contractions and magnifies them, pushing the baby out with more (Noel Ways n.d.). [...]
[...] (n.d.). HOMEOSTASIS & HYDRATION. Available: http://www.nanocal.com/homeostasis.htm. Last accessed 7th June 2013. Shmoop Editorial Team. (November 11, 2008).Homeostasis - Shmoop Biology. Available: http://www.shmoop.com/animal-movement/homeostasis.html Last accessed 7th June 2013. [...]
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