Homeostasis is the maintenance of a constant internal environment.

Homeostasis involves the regulation of

body temperature (thermoregulation), regulation of the amount of water in our body (osmoregulation),
regulation of blood sugar level and removal of toxic metabolic wastes (excretion). The organs involved in
homeostasis include; the liver, the kidneys, the lungs and the skin.

Importance of homeostasis
Homeostasis is important because in living cells all chemical reactions are controlled by enzymes. Enzymes
are very sensitive to conditions in which they work.

Osmoregulation is the maintenance of a constant water content of the body fluids. The kidneys regulate the
amount of water in the body; they do so by controlling how much water is lost in urine.
When there is a low amount of water in the body caused by dehydration and reduced water intake, the cells
in the hypothalamus stimulate the pituitary gland to secrete a hormone ADH (Anti-diuretic hormone). The
Anti-diuretic hormone makes the capillaries around the nephron reabsorb more water (during selective
reabsorption) from the glomerular filtrate into the blood stream.

Thermoregulation is the process by which living organisms control their body temperature. The regulation of
body temperature is mainly carried out by the skin and the control of the hypothalamus.
When the body temperature drops below 37°C, messages from the hypothalamus reduce heat loss in the
following ways:
1. Shivering. Shivering is the rapid contraction and relaxation of muscles. Shivering produces heat which
makes the body warm.
2. Increased respiration. Respiration releases heat.
3. Vasoconstriction. Vasoconstriction is the contraction of blood capillaries. Blood vessels near the surface
of the skin constrict or become narrower so that less blood flows through them. This reduces heat loss.
4. Hair stands upright. Hair erector muscles contract pulling the hairs upright. The upright hairs trap a warm
layer of air, which acts as a blanket above the skin and prevents heat loss to the environment.

When the body temperature rises above 37°C, messages from the hypothalamus promotes loss of the excess
heat in the following ways:
1. The rate of respiration reduces (slows down) so that less heat is produced.
2. Hair lies flat. Hair erector muscles relax and the hairs lie flat and so do not trap a warm layer of air. This
allows heat loss.
3. Vasodilation. Vasodilation is the relaxation of blood capillaries. Capillaries near the surface of the skin
dilate or become wider so that more blood flows through them and heat is lost from the body to the
surrounding.

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4. Sweat glands secrete sweat. As water in sweat evaporates, it takes heat from the skin, thereby cooling the
body.

Blood sugar level is regulated by the pancreas and the liver. The pancreas produces a hormone which helps
the liver to control the amount of glucose in the blood.
When levels of glucose are high, the pancreas secretes the hormone insulin, which lowers the level of glucose.
Insulin causes the liver to convert excess glucose into glycogen. The glycogen is then stored in the liver cells
and muscle cells. Insulin also stimulates the liver and muscle cells to absorb glucose and use it for respiration.
Insulin causes the liver to convert the excess glucose to glycogen; the glycogen is then stored in the liver and
muscle cells. Insulin also promotes conversion of glucose to fats and stored in the adipose tissue. Insulin slows
down the conversion of protein to carbohydrate.
When the levels of glucose are low, the pancreas secretes the hormone glucagon. Glucagon stimulates the liver
to convert glycogen to glucose. It also causes fats to be converted to glucose. It may also cause proteins to be
modified so that they are utilised for energy production.