Module 01: Homeostasis, Cells, and Body Organization Flashcards
What is homeostasis?
Homeostasis is a process by which the body maintains its internal environment in response to the external environment.
Homeostasis involves regulating health metrics like body temperature and blood sugar levels.
Why is maintaining homeostasis critical?
Maintaining homeostasis is critical as the body functions most effectively when conditions are stable and balanced.
Stable conditions support optimal biological processes.
What happens when the body can no longer maintain homeostasis?
When the body can no longer maintain homeostasis, levels begin to leave the normal range, and homeostasis is lost.
This can lead to loss of function and disease.
Fill in the blank: Homeostasis is maintained when levels are kept within the _______.
[normal range]
True or False: Homeostasis can be maintained even if the external environment changes.
True
What can result from an imbalance in homeostasis?
Loss of function and disease results from an imbalance in homeostasis.
Imbalance disrupts normal physiological processes.
What is thermoregulation?
The maintenance of normal body temperature.
Thermoregulation is a critical aspect of homeostasis.
What role do thermoreceptors play in thermoregulation?
They send impulses to the hypothalamus when the body’s skin or core temperature drops or increases.
Thermoreceptors are located in the skin and internal organs.
How does the hypothalamus respond to a drop in body temperature?
- Constricts blood vessels in the skin
- Causes piloerection through arrector pili muscle contraction
- Elicits a shivering reflex in skeletal muscles
These responses help to conserve heat and increase body temperature.
What is vasoconstriction?
The constriction of blood vessels, diverting blood away from the skin to prevent heat loss.
Vasoconstriction is a key response to cold temperatures.
What happens when the body’s temperature increases?
- Blood vessels in the skin dilate
- Arrector pili muscles relax
- Sweat glands produce sweat
These actions facilitate heat loss and help cool the body.
What is negative feedback in the context of homeostasis?
A mechanism that counteracts stimuli to maintain stable internal conditions.
Negative feedback loops are essential for regulating various physiological processes.
Fill in the blank: The hypothalamus acts as the body’s _______.
[thermostat]
The hypothalamus regulates body temperature through various feedback mechanisms.
True or False: The body’s core temperature can drop without any physiological response.
False
The body has mechanisms to respond to changes in core temperature to maintain homeostasis.
What is homeostasis?
A state of balance inside your body, where systems work together to keep you functioning normally.
What role does the endocrine system play in homeostasis?
It keeps internal balance by releasing hormones.
What are hormones?
Chemicals released by the endocrine system to maintain balance.
What is a negative feedback mechanism?
A process that restores a system to its normal range after it deviates from it.
How does a thermostat serve as an example of negative feedback?
It maintains a constant temperature by turning on the air conditioner when the temperature rises.
What happens when the temperature rises beyond the normal range in a thermostat system?
The thermostat turns on the air conditioner to restore the temperature.
How does the endocrine system control blood sugar levels?
By secreting insulin in response to increased blood sugar.
What is insulin?
A hormone secreted by the pancreas that maintains normal blood sugar levels.
What occurs shortly after consuming sugar, like a candy bar?
Blood sugar levels rise, prompting the pancreas to secrete insulin.
What happens to sugar molecules after insulin is secreted?
They move out of the bloodstream and into cells of skeletal muscle, fat, and liver.
