LECTURE 1

Control of the
Internal Environment

PHYSIOLOGY OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

Adapted from
Theory and Application to Fitness and Performance, 5th edition
Scott K. Powers & Edward T. Howley

Presentation revised and updated by

MOHD SANI MADON (PhD)
UPSI 2013

(c) 2004 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Objectives
 Define the terms homeostasis and
steady state
 Diagram and discuss a biological control
system
 Give an example of a biological control
system
 Explain negative feedback
 Define what is meant by the gain of a
control system

(c) 2004 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Homeostasis: Dynamic
Constancy
 Homeostasis
 Maintenance of a constant internal
environment
 Steady state
 Balance between demands placed on
body and the physiological response to
those demands

(c) 2004 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Body Core Temperature
During Exercise

Fig 2.2
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Blood Pressure at Rest

Fig 2.3
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Control Systems of the Body
 Goal
 To regulate some physiological variable
at or near constant value

(c) 2004 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

 Non-Biological Control System
 in room
Temperature
below 200 C

Room Temperature
Room Thermostat set
Signals thermostat
temperature at 200 C
To turn off heat
Returns to 200 C

Heating System

Fig 2.4
(c) 2004 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Biological Control Systems
 Series of interconnected components that
serve to maintain a physical or chemical
parameter at or near constant
 Receptor
 Capable of detecting changes
 Integrating center
 Assesses input and initiates response
 Effector
 Corrects changes to internal environment

(c) 2004 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Components of a Biological
Control System

Fig 2.5
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Negative Feedback
 Most biological control systems
 Response reverses the initial disturbance
in homeostasis

(c) 2004 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Gain of a Control System
 Gain of the system
 Degree to which the control system
maintains homeostasis
 System with large gain is more capable
of maintaining homeostasis

(c) 2004 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Example:
Regulation of Blood Pressure

Fig 2.6
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Example:
Regulation of Blood Glucose

Fig 2.7
(c) 2004 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Example:
Cellular Stress Response

Fig 2.8
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Exercise: A Test of Homeostatic
Control
 Submaximal exercise in a cool
environment
 The body’s control systems can maintain
steady state
 Maximal exercise or exercise in a
hot/humid environment
 May not be able to maintain steady state
 Severe disturbances in homeostasis can
occur

(c) 2004 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.