Homeostasis and Gradients

Internal Environment

Refers to the conditions within the body's internal fluid compartments, such as blood and interstitial fluid

Negative Feedback

The primary mechanism for maintaining homeostasis a stimulus causes a response that opposes or negates the original stimulus, bringing the variable back to its set point

Example: Regulation of body temperature

Receptor

Detects changes in the variable

Control Center

Processes information from the receptor and determines the appropriate response

Positive Feedback

A mechanism that amplifies the initial stimulus, leading to a rapid change. This is less common and typically occurs in situations that require a quick resolution

Examples:

Childbirth: Uterine contractions stimulate the release of oxytocin, which causes stronger contractions, leading to more oxytocin release.

Blood Clotting: Platelets adhere to a damaged blood vessel, releasing chemicals that attract more platelets, which then release more chemicals, and so on, until a clot is formed.

Gradients

a difference in a particular variable (e.g., concentration, pressure, temperature) between two points

Effector

Carries out the response to counteract the change