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• Homeostasis


  Tendency to resist change in order to maintain a stable relatively constant internal environment
• Set point


  Target state of your body that homeostasis wants to maintain
• Effectors


  Things whose job is to oppose the stimulus and maintain homeostasis
• Homeostasis = stimulus --> sensor --> control center --> effector
• Homeostatic circuits generally have two negative feedback loops: one to bring the variable DOWN to the set point when it gets too high and another to bring it UP to the set point when it gets too low
• Insulin


  Decreases the blood glucose concentration. When glucose is consumed it triggers body cells to take up glucose as fuel and causes the liver to start converting glucose to glycogen. Both reactions lower glucose to the set point and maintain homeostasis
• Glucagon


  Increases blood sugar levels by breaking glycogen down in the liver. Happens after its been a minute since you ate in order to maintain homeostasis
• Diabetes


  When there isn't enough insulin being made or your cells stop responding to insulin, so blood sugar levels remain high for longer than normal. Lack of regulation can lead to dehydration, increased urination, or more serious complications if left untreated
• Positive feedback loops


  Amplify signals instead of counteracting them. Found in processes where something has to be pushed to completion, instead of a return to the status quo, like in childbirth