We eat and drink, go to many places and do many different things every day. However, because of a process known as homeostasis, we are able to have a dynamic state of equilibrium.
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Homeostasis is known as the regulation of an organism’s internal conditions, usually by a system of feedback mechanisms. Homeostasis is necessary for normal body functioning and to sustain life. But how does homeostasis actually work? What are some important facts about it? Continue to read to find out!
During the process of homeostasis, feedback mechanism components play an important role. These components, including initiation event, stimulus, receptor/sensor, control center, effector, and response, represent the whole cycle of feedback mechanisms.
Initiation event, also known as the homeostatic disruption, causes a change in the environment.
Receptor, the sensor, senses the stimulus and sends a signal to the control center indicating a change.
Control center, known as the homeostasis monitor, detects if the system is within or outside of homeostatic balance and either turns off or activates the effector.
Effector, or the adjustment mechanism, causes a response when it activates.
Response, causes a change in the environment opposite of the original change.
As an example, initiation event may be turning on the oven in a house; the stimulus would be that the temperature increases; thermometer or thermostat is the receptor; the AC unit and compressor are the control center; the effector would be the cold air that blows through the house; and the response would be the decreasing temperature of the house.
The example above is also a type of negative feedback, which is the type of feedback mechanism that includes most homeostatic control mechanisms.
Negative feedback brings the body conditions back to the set point. It reverses a change that is occurring. A classical example is the body temperature control- the hypothalamus, a part of the brain responsible for the control of hormones, is capable of determining even the slightest variation of normal body temperature. Responses to such variations could be stimulation of glands that produce sweat to reduce the body temperature, or signaling various muscles to shiver to increase body temperature. This is the reason why humans’ body temperature is always around 37 °C. When you have a fever, it is caused by homeostasis imbalance, which is the reason for most diseases.
Another feedback mechanism, which is the opposition of negative feedback mechanisms, is known as the positive feedback mechanism. The body increases the original stimulus to push the variable further in this case. During this time, rapid change is needed, which means the reaction always occurs at a faster rate. An example would be blood clotting. Platelet accumulation causes blood clotting in response to a break or tear in the lining of blood vessels. Another example would be pregnancy contractions, where the female body secretes oxytocin to begin contractions of the uterus during childbirth.
Homeostasis has interaction with all our body systems, and failure of the regulation of any one of the body systems might be dangerous and fatal. The regulation of body temperature, blood sugar level, blood pressure, water balance, blood flow, etc. is complicated, and our body is doing all this work without us even noticing.
Because homeostasis is so important for us, and that homeostasis imbalance causes so many problems, it becomes important for us to have a healthy lifestyle. Keeping a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, drinking water regularly… These normal things may seem simple and small, but they actually play an irreplaceable role in our health and regular life functions.
Written by: Benetta Wang
References:
BD Editors. “Why Is Homeostasis Important.” Biology Dictionary, 15 Apr. 2018, biologydictionary.net/why-is-homeostasis-important/#:%7E:text=%20The%20Importance%20of%20Homeostasis%20%201%20Nervous,temperature%20through%20dilation%20and%20constriction%20of...%20More%20.
Lanese, Nicoletta. “What Is Homeostasis?” Live Science, 15 July 2019, www.livescience.com/65938-homeostasis.html.
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