Homeostatic Control Systems

A set of question-and-answer flashcards reviewing the concepts, terminology, history, components, and spiritual application of homeostatic control systems.

What is homeostasis?

The ability of the body to maintain relatively stable internal conditions (internal environment) even though the outside world (external environment) is changing.

Who observed and defined the automatic property of the human body to regulate variables, and in what year?

Claude Bernard in 1854.

Who named the process of homeostasis, and in what year?

Walter Cannon in 1926.

What are the specific set points given for average body temperature, blood glucose, and sodium?

Average body temperature is $98.6^\text{o}\text{F}$ ($37^\text{o}\text{C}$), glucose is $85\text{ mg/dl}$, and sodium is $142\text{ mmol/L}$.

How is the internal environment of the human body defined?

The fluid that surrounds the cells.

What conditions or diseases can result from an inability to maintain homeostasis?

Diabetes, dehydration, hyperthermia, and allergic reactions.

What are the two primary systems responsible for communication within the homeostatic control systems?

The nervous system and the endocrine system.

What is the difference between an afferent pathway and an efferent pathway?

An afferent pathway carries information toward the control center from the receptor, whereas an efferent pathway carries commands from the control center to the effector.

Which diagram illustrates the components and feedback steps involved in body temperature homeostasis?

This diagram illustrates how temperature receptors sense changes, send signals along afferent pathways to the hypothalamus control center, and transmit efferent commands to effectors such as skin and muscles.

Which table outlines the components, definitions, and body temperature regulation examples for homeostatic systems?

This table defines the Stimulus, Variable, Set Point, Receptor, Control Center, Afferent Pathway, Efferent Pathway, and Effector along with their specific roles in regulating body temperature.

What role does the hypothalamus play in body temperature regulation?

It acts as the control center in the brain that determines the set point ($98.6^\text{o}\text{F}$) and coordinates the appropriate course of action to correct deviations.

How do blood vessels in the skin act as effectors when body temperature rises above or drops below the set point?

When temperature is above the set point, blood vessels dilate to divert blood to the surface and release heat. When temperature is below the set point, blood vessels constrict to move warmer blood toward the core.

Why is a fever considered a temporary and beneficial change in a set point?

Because the body temperature set point changes to a higher value in response to infections, which aids the immune system in eliminating the pathogen.

In the spiritual feedback system analogy, what serve as spiritual stabilizers and what acts as the divine feedback signal?

Covenants serve as spiritual stabilizers, and the Holy Ghost acts as the divine feedback signal recalibrating the soul to faith in Jesus Christ.