Key Terms: What is Homeostasis? Maintaining Homeostasis Ph levels Homeostasis in single celled organisms Regulating Water Levels Feedback mechanisms

Notes:

What is Homeostasis? 

An organism's ability to maintain a stable internal environment. 

Homeo manes same and Stasis means balance. If conditions are thrown off and there is no homeostasis, that could cause disease and death. 

Maintaining Homeostasis:

Sweating maintains homeostasis by cooling the body off with a system called evaporative cooling. Shivering helps the body warm. 

Ph scale

Low numbers on the Ph scale mean it is too acidic. A safe PH level for human blood is 7.35-7.45. Kidneys help maintain a safe PH level by disposing of toxins in the form of urine. If the kidneys fail, your Ph level could become dangerous. 

Homeostasis in Single-Celled Organisms

Paramisea use a special organelle called contractile vacuole. Collects excess water and squeezes to let it out of the cell. 

Feedback Mechanisms:

The human brain sends them a signal that they are thirsty, so you would drink water. When a plant needs water its roots collect it from the soil. Water leaves the plant as a vapor but when a plant needs to safe water the plants closes up. Feedback mechanisms are internal systems that help an organism stay within its healthy range. Heart detects when muscles need more oxygen, and the heart rate goes up.