Homeostasis Regulation of Body Systems

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions related to the process of homeostasis and its regulation in the human body.

Homeostasis

The process of maintaining a constant internal environment.

Negative feedback

A response that counteracts the initial stimulus.

Vasodilation

The widening of blood vessels near the skin, allowing more heat to escape from the body.

Vasoconstriction

The narrowing of blood vessels near the skin, allowing less heat to escape from the body.

Shivering

Muscle movements that generate heat as a by-product of metabolic reactions in the muscles.

Sweating

The secretion of water from glands in the skin, resulting in evaporative cooling.

Insulin

A hormone produced by the pancreas that stimulates the uptake of glucose by cells.

Glucagon

A hormone produced by the pancreas that stimulates the conversion of glycogen into glucose.

Antidiuretic hormone

A hormone produced by the pituitary gland that helps regulate water balance in the body.

Pituitary gland

A gland that produces hormones that regulate various body functions, including the production of antidiuretic hormone and thyroid-stimulating hormone.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

A hormone that stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroxine.

Thyroxine

A hormone produced by the thyroid gland that regulates metabolism.

Hyperthermia

Abnormally high body temperature.

Hypothermia

Abnormally low body temperature.

Receptors

Structures on sensory neurons that detect changes in the body’s internal or external environment.

Effectors

Structures, such as muscles or glands, that enact a response to counteract changes detected by receptors.