The body's way of maintaining its internal conditions so it can function properly and enzymes can work effectively
Homeostasis
Controlled by the autonomic control system using negative feedback
What is Homeostasis?
All organisms and cells require specific internal conditions in order to function, mostly due to the continuous enzymatic reactions that occur in every cell that will only work under certain conditions
Homeostasis
The body must detect and respond to internal and external changes to maintain the optimum internal conditions
Examples of homeostasis
Maintaining blood glucose concentration
Maintaining body temperature
Maintaining water levels
Autonomic control system
The process by which the body maintains the conditions of the internal environment is autonomic which means it happens automatically, without thought
Autonomic control system
1. Receptors detect stimuli (changes in the environment) and send information to coordination centres
2. Coordination centres process the information and organise a response
3. Effectors produce a response to return the condition to its optimum level
Autonomic control system
The response may be chemical (e.g. hormones secreted from glands) or nervous (e.g. electrical impulses causing muscle contraction)
