Homeostasis

•Homeostasis is a condition of equilibrium, or balance in the body’s internal environment

•Maintenance of relatively stable conditions

•For example, blood glucose levels, pH, fluid balance

•Homeostasis is maintained by the body’s regulatory processes

Control of Homeostasis

Homeostasis

Homeostatic imbalances occur because of disruptions from the external or internal environments

The status of body conditions is monitored, evaluated, and changed via feedback systems, or feedback loops

Control of Homeostasis:

The basic components of a feedback loop

There are two types of feedback loops:

•Negative feedback loops (by far the most common)

•Reverses the change in a controlled condition

•Positive feedback loops

•Strengthens or reinforces the change in a controlled condition

-Ex: giving birth/breastfeeding

Homeostatic Imbalances:

•When homeostasis is disrupted it may result in disease, disorder, or even death

•Factors such as your genetic make-up, the air you breathe, the food you eat, and the thoughts you think can all affect your health