Homeostasis

homeostasis

maintaining a constant internal environment

negative feedback

movement away from an ideal state triggers a mechanism to counteract further change and returns the state to normal;

a change in a variable triggers mechanisms that reverse that change

equilibrium

state of balance

fluctuation

frequent and irregular change

nervous system

fast-acting network of nerve cells that transmit impulses between parts of the body and brain in response to internal and external changes

thermoregulation

control of body temperature

metabollic

refers to all the chemical reactions in living organisms that are necessary to maintain life

metabolism

all the chemical reactions in living organisms that are necessary to maintain life

endotherm

organisms that use heat energy generated by metabolism and muscle contraction to carefully control their internal body temperature

vasodilation

widening of blood vessels to increase blood flow

vasoconstriction

decreasing the diameter of blood vessels to reduces blood flow

sweat glands

glands found on almost all body surfaces that help regulate body temperature by secreting sweat

interstitial fluid

liquid found between the cells of the body that provides much of the internal environment

regulate

to control or direct by some particular method

thermostat

a device used to control the temperature

stimulus

a change in environment that causes an organism to react

response

an action or change in behavior that occurs as a result of a stimulus

set point

the point at which an individual's "normal" level is set for a variable

receptor

a sensor that responds to a change in the environment

fluid homeostasis

maintaining fluid (ie water) levels in the body at a near constant level

glucose homeostasis

maintaining glucose levels in the body at near constant level

temperature homeostasis

maintaining the temperature of the body at a near constant level