Homeostasis

Homeostasis is the relative constancy of the body’s internal environment.

Even when external conditions change, the body’s internal condition stays within a narrow range

All systems of the body contribute toward maintaining homeostasis

If the body’s internal conditions changes greatly, illness results

2 types of homeostasis mechanisms

Negative feedback (common) - keeps a variable close to a particular value, or set point (Ex: body temperature)

Positive feedback- mechanism that brings about an ever greater change in the same direction (Ex: childbirth)