Homeostasis and Feedback Mechanisms
Living Things Maintain a Stable Internal Environment Homeostasis: The ability to maintain stable conditions that are necessary for life. Animals: Sweating, shivering, thirst, hunger. Plants: Plants grow towards the light and away from gravity.
Feedback Mechanisms Homeostasis is maintained by internal feedback mechanisms. Feedback mechanisms return the body to its normal set point.
Feedback Mechanisms Negative feedback – puts the body back into its original state by inhibiting the stimulus that’s causing the change. Temperature Blood pH Blood sugar Calcium levels Blood pressure Most feedback mechanisms in the body are negative feedback
Feedback Mechanisms Positive feedback – Increases the stimulus causing more of the effect. Childbirth – oxytocin Blood clotting Lactation