Regulation and Disruption Flashcards
Homeostasis
the maintenance of a constant, optimal internal environment despite changes in the external environment
Homeostatic mechanisms
controlled by the nervous and endocrine system; the nervous system sends electrical impulses, endocrine system secretes hormones to counteract the stimulus
Negative Feedback Loop
The response reduces or eliminates the stimulus causing the effect
Eg. Dropping body temperature
Positive Feedback Loop
The response intensifies the stimulus
Dynamic Equilibrium
Fluctuations around the set point, controlled by homeostasis
Set Point
The optimum level around which levels fluctuate
Location of thermoreceptors
Thermoreceptors are found within the skin and mucous membrane (peripheral thermoreceptors) and in the hypothalamus and vital organs (central thermoreceptors)
Function of peripheral thermoreceptors
provide info about the external environment: cold and hot receptors
Function of central thermoreceptors
detect changes in internal temperatures
Heat Exhaustion
Caused by dehydration and continuous vasodilation, causing low blood pressure.
Person may collapse, but internal body temperature remains normal
Heat Stroke
Caused by high temperatures and humidity – body temperature increases past 42˚C.
Causes regulatory mechanisms to cease
Hypothermia
Core temperature falling below 33˚C; causes metabolic rate to slow, decreased heat production
Heat Transfer
Conduction, radiation, evaporation, convection
Intracellular fluid
found inside the cells
Extracellular fluid
outside the cells, including blood plasma
Intercellular Fluid
between cells (interstitial fluid)
Plasma
fluid within the blood stream
Lymph
any fluid found within the lymph vessels