Ch 1 Narration 3 (1.1) Homeostasis

Homeostasis

Maintenance of relatively stable internal conditions necessary for normal body functioning and to sustain life.

Dynamic state of equilibrium

A state of balance in which internal conditions remain stable despite changes in the external environment.

Homeostatic imbalance

A disturbance in homeostasis that results in disease.

Receptor

A component of homeostatic control that responds to changes in the environment and sends information to the control center.

Control center

Determines the set point, analyzes information, and determines the appropriate response in a homeostatic control mechanism.

Effector

Provides a means for the response to the stimulus, acting after information is processed by the control center.

Negative feedback

A mechanism that shuts off the original stimulus or reduces its intensity, commonly used in homeostatic control.

Positive feedback

A mechanism that increases the original stimulus to push the variable farther, occurring at a faster rate, used in specific situations like blood clotting and childbirth.

Afferent pathway

The pathway along which information flows from the receptor to the control center.

Efferent pathway

The pathway along which information flows from the control center to the effector.