Homeostasis

• What is the definition of homeostasis?


  Homeostasis is the regulation of the internal conditions of a cell or organism to maintain optimum conditions for function.
• Why do enzymes require stable conditions to function?


  Enzymes cannot work well if the conditions around them change too much.
• What happens to blood glucose concentration during exercise?


  It can fall due to increased respiration using glucose for energy.
• What are the three internal conditions that homeostasis helps to keep constant in the human body?


  Blood glucose concentration, body temperature, and water levels.
• What are the general features of an automatic control system in the human body?


  • Involves the nervous system or hormones
  • Receptor cells detect changes (stimuli)
  • Information is sent to a Coordination Center
  • Coordination Center processes information
  • Instructions are sent to an effector (muscle or gland)
  • Effector carries out the response
• What is a stimulus in the context of homeostasis?


  A stimulus is a change to the environment that is detected by receptor cells.
• What role do receptor cells play in homeostasis?


  Receptor cells detect changes in the environment and pass information to the Coordination Center.
• What is the function of the Coordination Center in an automatic control system?


  The Coordination Center receives and processes information from receptor cells.
• What is the role of an effector in the homeostasis process?


  An effector is a muscle or gland that carries out the response to restore optimum levels.
• What are the components of an automatic control system in homeostasis?


  1. Stimulus
  2. Receptor
  3. Coordination Center
  4. Effector
  5. Response
• What is the significance of the term "environment" in the context of homeostasis?


  The term "environment" refers to both internal conditions (like glucose concentration) and external conditions (like skin temperature).
• How does exercise affect the body's internal conditions?


  Exercise increases body temperature, decreases blood glucose concentration, and causes water loss through sweating.
• In what ways can the body respond to a stimulus detected by receptor cells?


  The body can send instructions to effectors to carry out a response, such as sweating or shivering.