MEMORANDUM

Thirst Mechanism / Dorsmeganisme

Stimulus: H2O loss Osmolarity
Cerebral Cortex:
Drinking behaviour
Osmoreceptore in
the Hypothalamus
Neurohyphysis

ADH

Drink H2O

Kidney

H2O reabsorbed

H2O gained

Osmolarity regained

A loss of water (body fluid) like as in severe sweating increases the

osmolarity of body fluid. Osmoreceptors in the hypothalamus
(neurons), called the thirst centre detects this change and relays it
to the neurohypophysis and sensory cortex. In the sensory cortex
the sensation of thirst is initiated and hence one drink water/fluid.
The neurohypophysis releases ADH, which targets the distal
convoluted tubules and collecting ducts of the kidney to reabsorb
more water. The total effect is that the osmolarity is brought back
to normal and the stimuli for the osmoreceptors are released. This
is a prime example of a negative feedback mechanism to maintain
the water balance!
n Verlies aan water soos wanneer daar baie gesweet word
beteken dat die osmolariteit van liggaamsvloeistowwe verhoog
word. Osmoreseptore (neurone) in die hipothalamus wat, ook die
dorssentrum genoem word, neem hierdie verandering waar en
gelei dit na die serebrale korteks en die neurohipofise. In
eergenoemde ontstaan die gewaarwording van dors en water word
gedrink. In laasgenoemde word ADH vrygestel wat die distale
kronkelbuisies en versamelbuisies aktiveer om meer water te
herabsorbeer. Die gesamentlike effek van die drink van water en
die herabsorpsie daarvan in die nier herstel die osmolariteit en die
stimulus vir die osmoreseptore word opgehef. Hierdie is n
pragtige voorbeeld van n negatiewe terugvoersisteem vir die
handhawing van die homeostase van die waterbalans!