HOMEOSTASIS

Homeostasis

Homeo - sameness Stasis - standing still

 Homeostasis - the body’s ability to maintain

a relatively constant internal environment
despite changes in the external environment.
Homeostasis

 More a dynamic state in which

internal conditions vary within
narrow limits.
Homeostasis

 Virtually every organ system

plays a role in maintaining homeostasis.
Homeostatic control mechanisms

 Communication within body essential for

maintenance of homeostasis.
– Nervous and endocrine systems - major
communication systems within the body.
 Homeostatic control mechanisms
 Homeostatic control
mechanisms have at least
3 interdependent
components:
– Receptor - sensor that responds
to stimuli
– Control centre - determines set
point, analyses input and
determines appropriate response
– Effector - provides means for
control centres response.
Feedback mechanisms

 Homeostasis maintained through

either:
– Negative feedback mechanisms
 opposes response to stimulus
– Positive feedback mechanisms
 enhances response to stimulus
 Negative Feedback Systems
 Negative feedback
mechanisms
– predominant mechanism for
homeostatic control
– maintain physiological functions
within narrow ranges
– control events which require
continuous adjustment for
moment-to-moment well-being
Positive Feedback Systems
 Positive feedback
mechanisms
– usually control infrequent
events that are self
perpetuating and explosive
– do not control events which
require continuous
adjustments to promote
moment-to-moment well-
being
Homeostatic imbalance

 Most diseases and/or disorders result from

homeostatic imbalance
 With aging:
– body organs and control systems become less
efficient
– internal environment becomes less and less
stable
– greater risk of illness/injury