homeostasis

Cards (12)

  • Homeostasis
    Balancing body functions to maintain a "normal" state
  • Conditions in your body need to be kept steady so that cells can function properly
  • Homeostasis
    Balancing inputs (stuff going into your body) with outputs (stuff leaving)
  • Conditions that need to be balanced
    • Water content
    • Body temperature
  • Homeostasis is the maintenance of a constant internal environment
  • Ways water is lost from the body
    • Through the skin as sweat
    • Via the lungs in breath
    • Via the kidneys in urine
  • On a hot day or when you're exercising
    You sweat a lot, produce less urine which is more concentrated
  • On a cold day or when you're not exercising
    You don't sweat much, produce more urine which is pale
  • Body temperature
    • Enzymes work best at around 37°C
    • The brain acts as a thermostat to maintain this temperature
  • Homeostasis happens automatically without you having to concentrate on it
  • Skin's role in maintaining body temperature

    • Sweating to cool down
    • Blood vessels dilating to allow more heat loss
    • Hairs standing up to trap insulating air when cold
  • Smaller organisms can cool down or heat up faster due to their higher surface area to volume ratio