Chapter Fourteen

Homeostasis
 coordination and response:

14.1 Maintaining internal environment page179

14.2 Control of body temperature page179
14.3 Control of blood glucose conc.
page184
 14.1 Maintaining
internal environment
 14.1 Maintaining internal environment

Introduction:

Conditions inside our body need to be maintained in a steady state. Blood

sugar level and temperature are regulated carefully

The conditions inside our body must be very carefully controlled as

metabolism operates within a narrow range of temperature and pH.

Homeostasis is the maintenance of a constant internal environment to

keep conditions at an optimum. The nervous system and the endocrine
system are responsible for this.
 14.2 Control of body temperature

Mammals and birds are endothermic:

Mammals and birds can maintain their body temperature constant even if
the temperature of their environment changes.

Living organisms that can do this are called endothermic which means
that they get their heat energy from within themselves, however animals
that cannot do this are called ectothermic.

Being endothermic has a great advantage, if the body temp. can be kept
constant this means that enzymes can always work very efficiently which
means metabolism can keep going.
 14.2 Control of body temperature

The Skin
One of the important organs involved in
temperature regulation in mammals is the
skin (Figure on the side)

The human skin is made of two layers, the

top layer is called the epidermis and the
lower layer is called the dermis.

All the cells in the epidermis are made in

the layer of cells at the base of it.

All new cells that are made are gradually move towards the surface of the skin, as they
go they die and fill up with keratin protein. The top layer of the skin is made of dead
cells and called the cornified layer.

The cornified layer protects the cells underneath, and some of the cells contain a
pigment called melanin that absorb harmful ultraviolet rays that comes from the sun.
 14.2 Control of body temperature

The dermis
Most of the dermis is made of connective
tissue, this tissue contains elastic fibers and
collagen fibers.

The dermis also contains sweat glands

(secret sweat), sweat is mostly water with
small amounts of salt and urea, it helps in
temperature regulation.

The dermis also contains blood vessels and nerve endings, the nerve endings are sensitive
to touch, pain, pressure and temperature that keeps the body aware of the environment
around it (any stimuli).

Underneath the dermis is a layer of fat called adipose tissue which is made up of cells
which contain large drops of oil that helps to insulate the body against heat loss and act
as an energy reserve.
 14.2 Control of body temperature

The hypothalamus
A part of the brain that connect the
nervous system with the endocrine system
and at the center of control mechanism
that keep internal temperature constant.

The hypothalamus acts as a thermostat, it

contains temperature receptors that sense
the temperature of the blood running
through it and from the sensitive receptors
in the skin.

If the temperature above or below 37C, then it sends electrical impulses along nerves to
the parts of the body which have the function of regulating the body temperature.
 14.2 Control of body temperature

When temperature falls

If the temperature of the body drops below
37C, nerve impulses from the
hypothalamus cause the following:

1. Muscles in some parts of the body

contract rapidly (this is what is called
shivering) and this happens involuntarily in
order to produce heat from respiration.

2. Metabolism may increase, the speed of

chemical reactions increase to release more
heat.

3. The hair stands up, the hair erector

muscles contract, raising the hair. This
traps a thicker layer of air above the skin
which insulates the skin against heat loss
 14.2 Control of body temperature

When temperature falls

If the temperature of the body drops below
37C, nerve impulses from the
hypothalamus cause the following:

4. The heat loss from the skin decreases by

the process of vasoconstriction which
involves arterioles getting narrower so the
blood flow in the skin capillaries decreases
which leads to less heat being lost.
 14.2 Control of body temperature

When temperature rises

If the temperature of the body rises more
than 37C, nerve impulses from the
hypothalamus cause the following:

1. Sweat glands in the skin release more

sweat, the sweat evaporates removing heat
energy from the skin with it, thus cooling
the body.

2. The hair lies flat, the hair erector

muscles relax, so the hair lies flat.
 14.2 Control of body temperature

When temperature rises

If the temperature of the body rises more
than 37C, nerve impulses from the
hypothalamus cause the following:

3. The heat loss from the skin increases by

the process of vasodilation which involves
arterioles getting wider so the blood flow in
the skin capillaries increases which leads to
more heat being lost.
 14.2 Control of body temperature

Negative feedback
Negative feedback involves a response that is the reverse of the change detected (it
functions to reduce the change)

A change is detected by a receptor and an effector is activated to induce an opposite

effect – this promotes equilibrium

Examples of processes that utilize negative feedback loops include homeostatic systems, such as:

1. Thermoregulation (if body temperature changes, mechanisms are induced to restore normal
levels) next slide

2. Blood sugar regulation (insulin lowers blood glucose when levels are high ; glucagon raises blood
glucose when levels are low)

3. Osmoregulation (ADH is secreted to retain water when dehydrated and its release is inhibited
when the body is hydrated)
 14.2 Control of body temperature

Negative feedback
Thermoregulation (if body temperature changes, mechanisms are induced to restore normal levels)
next slide
 14.2 Control of body temperature

Positive feedback
Positive feedback involves a response that reinforces the change detected (it functions to
amplify the change)

A change is detected by a receptor and an effector is activated to induce the same effect
– this promotes further change

Examples of processes that utilize positive feedback loops include:

1. Childbirth: stretching of uterine walls cause contractions that further stretch the walls (this
continues until birthing occurs) next slide

2. Lactation: the child feeding stimulates milk production which causes further feeding (continues
until baby stops feeding)

3. Blood clotting: platelets release clotting factors which cause more platelets to aggregate at the
site of injury
 14.2 Control of body temperature

Positive feedback
Childbirth: stretching of uterine walls cause contractions that further stretch the walls (this
continues until birthing occurs) next slide