Homeostasis, pH, core body temperature + body fluids Flashcards
define homeostasis
the process whereby cells, tissues and organisms maintain the status quo
(the ability or tendency of a living organism, cell, or tissue to keep the conditions inside it the same despite any changes in the conditions around it, or maintaining a state of internal balance)
what needs to be maintained constant in the internal environment
- temperature
- pH
- water (volume and pressure)
- gases: oxygen, CO2
- nutrients, glucose, amino acids, electrolytes
- waste products: ammonia, urea
examples of homeostasis
- acid-base balance
- fluid balance
- control of body temperature
four components of a homeostatic mechanism
- variable (temperature, cell volume, pH)
- sensor (monitors current value of variable)
- control centre (retains desired value of variable and compares to current value)
- effector (ability to change value of variable)
positive feedback
- increases effect of stimulus
- e.g. blood clotting
- stops when initiator ceases
negative feedback
- decreases effect of stimulus to return to normal level
- e.g. blood glucose regulation
- stops when effector ceases
70 kg man water compartments
- 60% water - 42l
- 2/3 intracellular fluid - 28l
- 1/3 extracellular fluid - 14l
- 11l interstitial fluid
- 3l plasma
circulating blood volume
5 litres (3l plasma + 2l red cells)
what is interstitial fluid
fluid that surrounds cells but is outside the blood vessels
how many litres of fluid is needed a day to maintain a helathy adult
2.5l
compare total body water in males and females (lean and obese)
- 60% adult males (70% and 50%)
- 50% adult females (60% and 42%)
- 70% infants (80% and 60%)
- 50% elderly
tonicity
- isotonic = same amount of water on both sides of plasma membrane
- hypotonic = more water outside cell
- hypertonic = more water inside cell
what is osmolality
concentration of particles in solution expressed as mOsm/kg
- measurement of osmotic pressure
what is osmolarity
concentration of particles in solution expressed as mOsm/l
normal osmolality of body fluids
280-300 mOsm/kg