Set Point

Homeostasis is performed so the body can maintain its internal set point. However, there are
times when the set point must be adjusted. When this happens, the feedback loop works to
maintain the new setting. An example of changes in a set point can been seen in blood
pressure. Over time, the normal or set point for blood pressure can increase as a result of
continued increases in blood pressure. The body no longer recognizes the elevation as
abnormal; there is no attempt made to return to the lower set point. The result is the
maintenance of an elevated blood pressure which can have harmful effects on the body.
Medication can lower blood pressure and lower the set point in the system to a healthier level
through a process of alteration of the set point in a feedback loop.

Changes can be made in a group of body organ systems in order to maintain a set point in
another system. This is called acclimatization. This occurs, for instance, when an animal
migrates to a higher altitude than one to which it is accustomed. In order to adjust to the lower
oxygen levels at the new altitude, the body increases the number of red blood cells circulating in
the blood to ensure adequate oxygen delivery to the tissues. Another example of acclimatization
is animals that have seasonal changes in their coats: a heavier coat in the winter ensures
adequate heat retention, while a light coat in summer assists in keeping body temperature from
rising to harmful levels.

Positive Feedback Vs Negative Feedback

 For more information you can actually watch this video found in this link:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6_oe_QcHKc

Homeostasis: Thermoregulation
Animals use different modes of thermoregulation processes to maintain homeostatic internal
body temperatures.

Thermoregulation to Maintain Homeostasis

Internal thermoregulation contributes to animal’s ability to maintain homeostasis within a certain
range of temperatures. As internal body temperature rises, physiological processes are
affected, such as enzyme activity. Although enzyme activity initially increases with temperature,
enzymes begin to denature and lose their function at higher temperatures (around 40-50 C for
mammals). As internal body temperature decreases below normal levels, hypothermia occurs
and other physiological process are affected. There are various thermoregulation mechanisms
that animals use to regulate their internal body temperature.

Types of Thermoregulation (Ectothermy vs. Endothermy)

Thermoregulation in organisms runs along a spectrum from endothermy to ectothermy.
Endotherms create most of their heat via metabolic processes, and are colloquially referred to
as “warm-blooded.” Ectotherms use external sources of temperature to regulate their body
temperatures. Ectotherms are colloquially referred to as “cold-blooded” even though their body
temperatures often stay within the same temperature ranges as warm-blooded animals.

Ectotherm
An ectotherm, from the Greek (ektós) “outside” and (thermós) “hot,” is an organism in which
internal physiological sources of heat are of relatively small or quite negligible importance in
controlling body temperature. Since ectotherms rely on environmental heat sources, they can
operate at economical metabolic rates. Ectotherms usually live in environments in which
temperatures are constant, such as the tropics or ocean. Ectotherms have developed several
behavioral thermoregulation mechanisms, such as basking in the sun to increase body
temperature or seeking shade to decrease body temperature.

Endotherms
In contrast to ectotherms, endotherms regulate their own body temperature through internal
metabolic processes and usually maintain a narrow range of internal temperatures. Heat is
usually generated from the animal’s normal metabolism, but under conditions of excessive cold
or low activity, an endotherm generate additional heat by shivering. Many endotherms have a
larger number of mitochondria per cell than ectotherms. These mitochondria enable them to
generate heat by increasing the rate at which they metabolize fats and sugars. However,
endothermic animals must sustain their higher metabolism by eating more food more often. For
example, a mouse (endotherm) must consume food every day to sustain high its metabolism,
while a snake (ectotherm) may only eat once a month because its metabolism is much lower.

Homeothermy vs. Poikilothermy