homeostasis: negative feedback

what is homeostasis

• it is the body’s ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in external conditions.

maintaining balance

• homeostasis maintains the body’s internal environment within the normal limits despite external and internal changes

• this control is brought about by systems that detect and respond to internal changes

• the process is used to do this is called negative feedback.

what are the regulatory mechanism

• blood glucose levels

• water balance

• body temperature

how does negative feedback works?

• negative feedback is a control process that keeps a mechanism in the body, like temperature, within a set range

• when a change in the condition is detected,

• it triggers a response that reverses the change and restores the condition to its normal level

group of specialised cells in the brain, called control centres, act like a thermostat in a central heating system by monitoring internal conditions

• receptors cells detect a change in these conditions and send electrical impulses to the control centre in the brain

• the control centre responds by sending electrical impulse to effectors (such as muscle or sweat glands)

• effectors trigger corrective response to bring conditions back to the desired level (for example sweating to cool of the body) — like a thermostat switching on radiators to restore room temperature

why is homeostasis is important?

homeostasis keeps the body ‘s internal conditions constant so cells can function normally and avoid damage it

• regulates blood glucose concentration to ensure cell have a constant energy supply for respiration

• controls blood concentration (water balance) to prevent tissue damage from too much water entering or leaving cells

• maintains core body temperature at 37 C so enzymes can work at their best.

Explain one way homeostasis is essential to the functioning of the body