Homeostasis Flashcards
what is homeostasis?
Dynamic processes in the body maintain ideal physical and chemical conditions
Examples of homeostasis?
temperature, water, pH and glucose and other nutrient concentrations
how is homeostasis maintained?
feedback loops
which part of the brain controls most hormone and nerve signals to maintain homeostasis?
hypothalamus
Thermoregulation
The maintenance of a body temperature with a set range where cells function efficiently. Humans require body temperature very close to 37oC.
what happens when the body is too warm (1)?
Sweat glands under the skin release water, which cools the body as it evaporates
what is Vasodilation when the body is too warm(2)?
Blood vessels near the skin widen, letting more heat escape. This increased blood flow causes the skin to look red when someone is warm.
what is Vasoconstriction?
when the body is too cold Blood vessels near the skin narrow, reducing heat loss from the blood.
what is Piloerection?
when the body is too cold Hairs on the skin stand up, trapping a layer of warm air close to the body.
what does muscle contraction mean?
Shivering uses energy, creating heat as a by-product to warm the body.
What is the first step in maintaining homeostasis?
A stimulus produces a change in a variable.
What detects a change in the variable?
The receptor (sensor).
What happens after the receptor detects a change?
Information is sent along the afferent pathway to the control center
What does the control center do?
It determines the response to the change.
What happens after the control center processes the information?
It sends information along the efferent pathway to the effector.
