Homeostasis

• 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


  • Have three main components: receptors, coordination centres, effectors
  • Communicate via nervous and endocrine systems
• Negative feedback mechanism


  1. Decreases levels if too high

  2. Increases levels if too low

  3. Maintains normal levels
• Homeostasis is the overall process of maintaining a stable internal environment