Introduction to Homeostasis

• Homeostasis is the process of maintaining a stable internal environment, despite changing conditions.
• It is important to maintain a stable internal environment within the body so that our cells and enzymes can function optimally and not get damaged.
• 3 internal conditions that Homeostasis regulates: blood glucose concentration, body temperature, water levels
• Internal conditions refers to the conditions inside the body, such as body temperature.
• External conditions refer to the conditions outside the body, such as room temperature.
• A receptor detects stimuli (a change in the internal or external environment)
• A coordination centre interprets changes and organises a response.
• The coordination centres located in the body are brain, spinal cord, pancreas
• An effector carries out the change
• 2 types of effectors and what do they do when stimulated: Muscles- contract, Glands- release hormones
• The nervous system is a complex network of nerves that carry messages from the brain and spinal cord to and from various parts of the body.
• The endocrine system is made up of glands that release hormones.
• The hormones in the endocrine system act as chemical messengers that allow communication throughout the body.
• Negative feedback is when a change in system causes an action that reverses the change.
• Type of signal: Nervous system- Electrical, Endocrine system- Chemical
• Transmission of signal: nervous system- nerve cells, endocrine system- Bloodstream
• speed of response: nervous system- rapid, Endocrine system- slower
• Duration of response: Nervous system- short, Endocrine system- long
• The three main components in automatic control systems: Receptors, coordination centres, effectors
• a problem with the three components of automatic control systems: they might be in different parts of the body, this is where the nervous system and endocrine system take place
• Nervous system and endocrine system sends signals between the automatic control systems.
• signals are passed from receptor to coordination centre to effector
• The nervous system is much faster than the endocrine system as it relies on electrical impulses that can travel very quickly. 
• the endocrine system is more generalized than the nervous system because hormones travel through the bloodstream and can affect lots of different organs and tissues in the body.
• The nervous system is specific because nerve signals go directly to particular target, like a muscle or specific gland.
• endocrine system relies on hormones released into the bloodstream.
• optimal is the point where the enzyme is most active
• Examples external conditions is: the amount of fluids you drink and room temperature
• regulate means control or maintain the rate of speed
• The nervous system works with the endocrine system to detect and transmit signals from internal and external stimuli to maintain homeostasis in the body
• The nervous system and endocrine system help regulate the electrical and chemical processes, throughout and between the brain and body.