Bio Gr 12: Homeostasis

Homeostasis

Physiological state where physical and chemical conditions in a living organism remain in a constant range suitable for life processes.

Internal Environment

Extracellular fluid surrounding cells, including interstitial fluid and blood plasma that ensures the health of cells.

Dynamic Equilibrium

A state of balance that changes depending on influencing factors, maintained by various body systems.

Feedback Mechanism

A process that involves a sensor, integrator, and effector to maintain homeostasis.

Negative Feedback Mechanism

Reacting to compensate for changes and maintain equilibrium by acting oppositely to stimuli.

Positive Feedback Mechanism

Enhances or increases the condition that leads to a change, often exaggerating imbalances.

Thermoregulation

Process by which the body regulates its internal temperature.

Homeotherms

Animals that maintain a constant body temperature regardless of environmental conditions.

Poikilotherms

Animals whose body temperature changes with the external environment.

Osmosis

The movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration.

Excretion

The process of removing toxic metabolic products from the body.

Nephron

The functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtering blood and producing urine.

Filtration

The process by which blood is filtered in the glomerulus and the liquid part enters the Bowman's capsule.

Reabsorption

Process where solutes and water are reabsorbed from the filtrate back into the blood.

Secretion

The process of actively transporting wastes into the tubules for excretion.

Diabetes Mellitus

A condition where high blood sugar leads to excessive urination and dehydration due to nephron malfunction.

Kidney Stones

Solid masses formed from crystals that can cause pain when passed through the urinary tract.

Kidney Failure

Loss of kidney function requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Aquaporins

Water channel proteins facilitating the movement of water in nephron tubules.

Torpor

A short-term state of reduced metabolic rate to lower energy demand.

Hibernation

A long-term state of torpor due to seasonal changes.