Homeostasis

Question 1

Define Homeostasis

Answer 1

The ability of an organism to keep its internal environment stable, even when conditions change

Question 2

Define Set Point

Answer 2

Set Point is the ideal level that the body aims to keep it at

Question 3

List the 4 components of a homeostatic control loop and state their functions

Answer 3

Stimulus: changes in something that is controlled (stretch in muscle)
Receptor: part that senses the change (sensory)
Control Center: receives information and sends a signal to a body part to make the change (brain or endocrine gland)
Effector: part that makes the change in response to the stimulus (muscle or gland)

Question 4

Define a negative feedback control loop

Answer 4

is the body’s way of fixing things when something is wrong

Question 5

Give an example of a negative feedback scheme used by the human body

Answer 5

regulating heart rate & blood pressure during exercise

Question 6

Describe the relationship between the error signal and the homeostatic response in negative feedback control systems

Answer 6

The error signal starts a balance- restoring response, and once balance is restored, the error goes away and the homeostatic response stops