Importance of Homeostasis in Mammals

metabolic reactions are controlled by enzymes enzymes work best in a narrow range of temperature & pH only important to keep internal environment as steady as possible

Definition: Keeping the internal environment in a Steady state

It is controlled by Negative Feedback Mechanism

Rise above normal value

Corrective Mechanism

negative feedback

normal value

NEGATIVE FEEDBACK MECHANISM

Fall below normal value

normal value
negative feedback

Corrective Mechanism

 kidneys : regulate water & mineral salts concentration skin : regulate body temperature liver & pancreas : regulate blood glucose level

Parts of Body involved

skin tissue cells kidney liver + blood pancreas

Osmoregulation (Water & Mineral salts)

Regulate water potential in Tissue Fluid Organ involved: KIDNEYS

After Sweating

Normal Water Content in Blood

Concentrated Blood

Concentrated Urine is produced

Larger proportion of water is reabsorbed

After Drinking

Normal Water Content in Blood

Diluted Blood

Diluted Urine is produced

Smaller proportion of water is reabsorbed

Osmoregulation (Water & Mineral salts)

After having a very salty meal produce concentrated urine to remove excess salts in solution form extra water is needed to be excreted along with the excess salts sensation of thirst (drink more water to compensate for the water loss)

Thermoregulation (Regulation of Body Temperature)

poikilotherms (cold-blooded animals) body temperatures vary with that of the environment e.g. reptiles, fish, amphibians

Thermoregulation (Regulation of Body Temperature)

Homoiotherms (warm-blooded animals) keep body temperature constant even in winter by increasing metabolic rate e.g. birds, mammals

Maintenance of Body Temperature

Hair Sebaceous follicle gland Epidermis Dermis

Erector Receptors muscle

Outermost layer Middle layer Innermost layer Sweat gland

Subcutaneous fat Nerve fibres

Blood capillaries

Structure of Mammalian Skin

Epidermis
dead outer layer relatively impermeable easily peeled off protect the underlying tissues to prevent mechanical injury to prevent bacterial entry to reduce water loss

Epidermis
middle layer made up of living cells become dead as they approach the surface black inner layer with pigment (melanin) to absorb ultraviolet ray for sunlight have cell division to repair the lost outer layers

Dermis
Blood capillaries to nourish the cells of the skin branch into superficial blood capillaries Sweat gland surrounded by a network of capillaries secrete sweat (consists of water, mineral salts, urea & some waste materials) characteristic of mammals

Dermis
Hair follicles & Hairs each hair has a nerve & a capillary attached to it nerve: receives stimuli capillary: supply food & oxygen hairs reduce heat loss & assist in temperature regulation Erector muscle controls the hair movement for temperature regulation

Dermis
Sebaceous gland secretes oily substance to make the skin waterproof to prevent bacterial entry Receptors detect pain, pressure, temperature & touch

Subcutaneous Fat
beneath the Dermis for fat storage acts as insulator of heat

Functions of Our Skin

protect the body (epidermis) to provide mechanical protection to prevent bacterial entry to reduce water loss temperature regulation (hair)

Functions of Our Skin

excretion of sweat (sweat gland) store fats (subcutaneous fat) sensation (numerous receptors ) production of vitamin D under ultra-violet light (inner epidermis)

Control Body Temperature in Hot Conditions

More sweat is produced by sweat glands evaporation of sweat takes away heat which produces a cooling effect Vasodilation of skin arterioles arterioles near the surface of the skin dilates to let more blood flows near the skin surface to have more heat lost by conduction & radiation.

Erector muscles relax hairs lie flat on the skin reduce thickness of air trapped among the hairs (not effective in human because humans hairs are short)

Develop thinner subcutaneous fat & shed their fur as long term responses increase heat loss Decrease metabolic rate & muscle contraction gain less heat

Control Body Temperature in Cold Conditions

Vasoconstriction of skin arterioles arterioles near the surface of the skin constrict to let less blood flows near the skin surface to have less heat lost by conduction & radiation

Erector muscles contract pull hairs erect for trapping more air thicker layer of air acts as a good insulator of heat Less sweat is produced by sweat glands reduce heat loss by evaporation

Develop thicker subcutaneous fat & thicker fur as long term responses reduce heat loss Increase metabolic rate & muscle contraction gain more heat

Regulation of Blood Glucose Level

controlled by Negative feedback mechanism controlled by insulin secreted from the islets of Langerhans in pancreas Diabetes - malfunction of pancreas (does not secrete enough insulin)

Soon after a meal

Too High

Pancreas secretes insulin

Liver coverts glucose to glycogen

Blood glucose level falls

normal blood glucose level

Long after a meal
Pancreas secretes less insulin

normal blood glucose level

Liver converts glycogen to glucose

Too Low

Blood glucose level rises

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