Lecture 21: Homeostasis

Vocabulary terms covering the fundamental concepts, components, and examples of homeostatic regulation and feedback loops.

Homeostasis

A condition of dynamic equilibrium in the body’s internal environment.

Sensor

The component of a homeostatic feedback loop that detects an imbalance or change.

Control Center

The component that processes information, makes decisions, and sends signals to other body parts.

Set Point

The optimal value toward which the system restores balance.

Effector

The component that produces a response to bring the body back to a controlled condition.

Response

The result obtained from the action of the effector.

Negative Feedback

A type of regulatory process that reduces changes of internal body conditions.

Positive Feedback

A type of regulatory process that amplifies changes in the body.

Homeostatic Imbalances

Disruptions from the external or internal environments that move conditions out of normal range.

Standard Body Temperature Set Point

The specific value used as a threshold in body temperature regulation, noted as $37^\circ C$.

Oxytocin

A hormone stimulated by the brain/pituitary gland that carried in the bloodstream to the uterus to stimulate contractions during childbirth.

Disease

A particular abnormal condition that negatively impacts the structure and/or function of all or part of an organism.

Disorder

An abnormal physical or mental condition.