B5(Homeostasis and Response)

• What is Homeostasis?


  Homeostasis is the maintenance of the internal and external environment
• Homeostasis


  The regulation of conditions inside the body to maintain a stable internal environment in response to changes in both internal and external conditions
• Cells in the body

  • Need certain conditions to function properly (not too hot/cold, not too acidic/alkaline, good supply of glucose and water)
• Regulation


  The body regulates everything and makes sure conditions are kept around the right levels
• Temperature and glucose levels do fluctuate but only within small bounds
• Automatic control systems
• Nervous system


  Sends fast and precise electrical impulses through nerves
• Endocrine system


  Relies on hormones released into the bloodstream, generally slower, longer lasting and more generalised than the nervous system
• Negative feedback mechanism


  1. Decreases levels when too high

  2. Increases levels when too low

  3. To return to normal
• Homeostasis is the overall process of maintaining a stable internal environment through negative feedback loops