Homeostasis Flashcards
What is homeostasis?
Maintenance of a constant, internal environment
Why is homeostasis important?
So that the body continues to function optimally. If conditions within the body change too much, it can lead to death.
What is thermoregulation?
Maintenance of constant body temperature
Why is thermoregulation important?
Changes in body temperature can impact the function of enzymes, causing them to work slower or denature.
What is osmoregulation?
Maintenance of a constant level of water in the body
Why is osmoregulation important?
Changes in water level in the body can cause body cells to lose or gain water by osmosis, leading to them becoming shriveled or bursting.
When is sweat released? How does it work?
Released when we are too hot. Sweat moves onto the surface of the skin and evaporates, taking heat energy with it.
What changes happen in the body when we get too cold?
Shivering, hairs stand up, vasoconstriction, no sweat produced
What changes happen in the body when we get too hot?
no shivering, hairs lie flat, sweating, vasodilation.
Which part of the brain coordinates the thermoregulatory response?
hypothalamus
What is vasodilation? When does it happen? How does it work?
Vasodilation is where blood vessels close to the skin widen, allowing more blood to flow through. It happens when we are hot and allows the more heat to radiate from the blood to the environment
What is vasoconstriction? When does it happen? How does it work?
Vasoconstriction is where blood vessels close to the skin become narrow, meaning blood cannot pass through. It happens when we are cold and means the blood is more insulated from the environment so less heat is lost.
Name 3 ways water leaves our body
breathing, sweating, urinating
Which organ in the body removes excess water from the blood?
Kidneys
Other than water, which other waste substance is removed from the body by kidneys?
Urea