Homeostasis

Introduction
In an effort to maintain internal homeostasis, exercise activates many homeostatic factors. How exercise
affects some of these homeostatic factors can be determined by measuring and observing certain parameters
such as: change in skin color on arms and face; perspiration level; external body temperature; heart rate;
blood pressure; and breathing rate (breaths per minute). Negative feedback systems allow the body to
activate a mechanism to correct imbalance and restore homeostasis. On the other hand, positive feedback
systems produce unstable conditions and can operate for only a short period of time in living systems because
life depends on the maintenance of a stable internal environment. Therefore, a positive feedback
mechanisms enhances the original stimulus and a negative feedback mechanisms inhibit the stimulus.

In this lab, one member of the group will exercise for eight minutes. The parameters mentioned above will be
observed, measured, and recorded at rest, at two minute intervals during exercise, and one minute after
exercise has stopped. The subject should stop for each reading just long enough for the measurements to be
taken.

Essential Questions: How do various levels of exercise affect specific body parameters (skin color,
perspiration rate, body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure) and how do they relate to maintaining
homeostasis?

Materials
Jump Rope Stopwatch Thermometers Blood Pressure Monitors
Optional Materials: Vernier Labquest or Pasco Acquisition Hardware, Exercise & Heart Rate Monitor,
Respiration Belt w/ Pressure Sensor

Pre-Lab
True or False Questions

Part A: Procedure
1. Practice using the blood pressure kit to make sure suitable readings are obtained.
a. The cuff should be attached directly to the skin just above the elbow joint.
The black tube exiting the cuff should rest on the inside of the arm at the elbow where a pulse
can be measured. In order to avoid an “error” reading, the subject must be perfectly still, with
no talking, chewing gum etc… for an accurate blood pressure/heart rate measurement.
b. Inflate the cuff; the monitor will beep when the cuff is sufficiently
inflated.
c. The monitor will display the blood pressure and heart rate on the screen.
2. Now it is time to collect the resting external body temperature readings. One person, the subject,
should do the exercising, and another partner will operate the equipment and record data.
3. Record on your data sheet the resting observations and values for each of these parameters:
Resting temperature
Skin color (pale, pink, red, etc.)
Perspiration level (none, mild, medium, high)
Resting blood pressure
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 Resting heart rate
Breathing rate by counting the number of breaths taken in 1 minute
4. The subject should choose a method of exercise which should be accomplished in a small area.
Suggested types of exercise include jump rope, jumping jacks, squats, jogging in place or walking in
place moving legs and arms briskly. The subject should exercise at a level that can be maintained for
the entire 8 minutes.
5. The subject should begin to exercise while the partner monitors the time and records parameter
readings at the 2, 4, 6, and 8 minute time intervals. The test subject will stop exercising for each of the
measurements at 2, 4, 6 and 8 minutes. A final reading will be taken 1 minute after the subject has
stopped exercising.
6. Record all parameter readings in the table on Part B of the student data sheet.
7. Dispose used thermometer plastic protective sheaths and clean stem with alcohol.
8. Return all materials to their proper place.

Part B: Complete the following on the student data sheet.

1. Design an experiment to test the human body’s ability to maintain homeostasis when in a cold
environment for an extended period of time. Use evidence to justify your experiment.
a. What parameters will be monitored and how frequently?
b. Hypothesis how lowering the body temp affects the respiratory, circulatory, and muscular systems.
Support your hypothesis with evidence from the activity or other sources.
2. It is generally believed by some that exercising daily will improve quality and quantity of life. Explain
why you agree or disagree with this belief taking into account the effects exercise has on the
circulatory, respiratory, and muscular systems.
3. Give an example of a negative or positive feedback system.

Helpful site: http://anatomyandphysiologyi.com/homeostasis-positivenegative-feedback-mechanisms/

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STUDENT DATA SHEET Name: ___________________________

Homeostasis Date: ___________________________

Part A DATA:
Body Perspiration Body Heart Blood Breathing
Color Level Temperature Rate Pressure Rate
C° (Beats/min) (mmHg) (Breaths
/minute)

At Rest

2 min

4 min.

6 min

8 min

1 min
After

ANALYSIS
1. Each group will be assigned 2 of the 4 graphs to complete
 Body Temperature;
 Heart Rate;
 Blood Pressure [one line for diastolic (the lower number) and one line for systolic (the
higher number]
 Breathing Rate.
2. What are the changes you observed in body color and perspiration level in response to exercise?

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 3. How do these changes contribute to the maintenance of homeostasis and are they a form of
positive or negative feedback?

4. Why does an increase in heart rate and breathing rate accompany exercise?

5. Account for how the diastolic and systolic blood pressure changed during exercise.

6. By studying your parameter measurements after exercise has stopped, what conclusions can you
draw about your body’s ability to maintain homeostasis?

7. It is generally believed by some that exercising daily will improve quality and quantity of life.
Explain why you agree or disagree with this belief taking into account the effects exercise has on
the circulatory, respiratory, and muscular systems.

8. Give an example of a negative or positive feedback system.

9. Other than exercise, what can cause perspiration or sweating?

Part C.
1. Design an experiment to test the human body’s ability to maintain homeostasis when in a cold
environment for an extended period of time. Use evidence to justify your experiment.

a. What parameters will be monitored and how frequently?

b. Hypothesis how lowering the body temp affects the respiratory, circulatory, and muscular
systems. Support your hypothesis with evidence from the activity or other sources.

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 BODY TEMPERATURE VS TIME

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 HEART RATE VS TIME

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 BLOOD PRESSURE VS TIME

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 BREATHING RATE VS TIME

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