Homeostasis

• Homeostasis


  The regulation of conditions in a cell or organism in order to optimally respond to internal and external changes

  
• Internal change


  A change in conditions that occurs within a cell or organism
• External change


  A change in conditions that occurs outside of a cell or organism
• Regulation


  To control or maintain conditions so that they work at their optimum rate
• Optimal conditions


  The specific conditions that enables enzymes and cells to function at their best
• Nervous response


  An electrochemical response brought about by nerve cells

  
• Chemical response


  A chemical response brought about by hormones

  
• Blood glucose level


  The blood sugar level in the body which is controlled by homeostasis to regulate respiration and metabolism

  
• Body temperature

  The amount of heat in the body which is controlled by homeostasis to ensure enzymes function properly

  
• Water level

  The amount of water in the body which is controlled by homeostasis to regulate conditions for osmosis

  
• Automatic control system


  A control system that operates without human intervention
• Receptor


  Cells that detect stimuli

  
• Stimuli


  Changes in the environment

  
• Coordination centre


  Brain, spinal cord and pancreas that receive and process information from receptors

  
• Effectors


  Muscles or glands which bring about responses to restore optimum levels

  
• Hormone


  A chemical produced by the endocrine system which carries messages