Homeostasis

• Homeostasis: the ability of the body to maintain a stable internal environment

  • many body functions need to be maintained like blood pressure and blood glucose levels
• • Many of your body processes are controlled through feedback mechanisms
  • Some work like a thermostat in your house controlling the temperature
• • There are two kinds of feedback mechanisms: negative feedback loop and positive feedback loop
• Negative Feedback Loop: when a stimulus causes a change in your body, you have a way to respond and reverse the action of the stimulus

  • ex - feedback = blood glucose
  • when you eat, your blood sugar increases
  • to lower your blood sugar, your pancreas releases insulin (hormone) which decreases blood glucose to the set point
  • key words: opposite & reverse :)
• Positive Feedback Loop: when there is a stimulus, your body responds by enhancing the stimulus and not shutting it off

  • ex + feedback = blood clotting
  • you get a cut
  • your body starts making clotting proteins
  • the cut starts to clot and you make more clotting factors
  • key words: positive & continuous