Homeostasis

Objectives

Define the term Homeostasis.

Discuss the factors which effect homeostasis.

Define feedback mechanism and its components.

Discuss the role of feedback mechanism in

maintenance of homeostasis with examples.
 Introduction

 The term ‘homeostasis’ is derived from two Greek words;

Homeo which means ‘same’ and Stasis which means
‘standing’.

 In its simplest form it means ‘staying the same’.

 It is an organism’s internal environment which ‘stays the

same’

 The maintenance of the internal environment within narrow

limits is called homeostasis.
 The Internal environment

• All body cells live

in the same
environment
→ECF.

• The skin
separates this
environment
from the outside
world (external
environment).
 Control Sstem
Protection
Skin
Immune system
Nervous Endocrine
system systems

O2 Internal
environment
CO2
 Important Terms

A. Receptors = Structure that monitors body’s internal

functions and conditions; detects changes in body’s
internal environment and carries them to the control
center.
B. Control Center = Center that receives messages from
receptors about any change in the internal environment,
then relays information to effectors to correct the
changes. In most instances, brain is the control center.
C. Effectors = Muscle or organ that receives information
from the control center and which corrects any changes.
 Control Mechanisms

• The body has thousands of control systems.

• They function to restore balance when it is lost.

 Feedback Mechanism

A feedback
Control Center
mechanism is a
physiological
regulation system
in a living body Receptor Effectors
that works to
return the body to
its normal internal
Homeostasis
state.
Give examples of negative feedback mechanism.
 Negative Feedback

Includes most homeostatic mechanisms.

Shuts off the original stimulus or reduces its

intensity.

Examples include regulation of temperature and

blood pressure.
Blood Pressure
Body Temperature

Increased activity of
sweat gland OR
vasodilation.
Give examples of positive feedback mechanism.
 Positive Feedback

It increases the original stimulus or in other words

enhances or amplifies changes.

Example includes release of oxytocin during child

birth, blood coagulation, breastfeeding.
Release of oxytocin
 Disease

Occurs when
homeostasis fails and
the body, or part of
the body does not
function properly.
 Factors affecting Homeostasis

1. Disease
2. Stress
3. Injury
4. Dehydration
5. Lifestyle
6. Genetic factors
 Body Fluid Imbalance

Volume change Osmolarity change

Volume Volume Hyperosmolarity Hypoosmola

expansion contraction rity
Excessive salt Loss of salts
Decrease output Increase output intake (diuretics)
(kidney failure, (diarrhea,
SIADH) vomiting,
Loss of water Gain of water
diuretics)
more than more than
Increase input solutes solutes (SIADH)
(Infusion of Decrease input
excessive IV (low intake)
fluids)
Feedback mechanism
Any questions?
Now lets begin with my questions!
 Quiz

Identify which type of feedback mechanism is it?

A. A young child is ill. They refuse to keep a cover on
and begin to sweat.
B. A butcher slices his finger on a blade. He wraps it
in a towel until the bleeding begins to subside.
C. A group of teens visits a haunted house and one of
the teens is frightened and their heart beats harder
than normal.
In the events leading to childbirth the stretching of
the uterus triggers a release of oxytocin. Eventually
the baby’s head pressing against the cervix triggers
more oxytocin until the mother is in full labor.
A new mother’s is nursing her baby. Her baby is not
very hungry and her milk supply seems to go down.
Once the baby is suckling more regularly the
mother’s milk supply goes back up.
After running a jogger feels very thirsty and drinks
some water.
Thankyou