HOMEOSTASIS An organism’s ability to maintain a constant, stable internal environment. Pgs6-12
HOMEOSTATIC MECHANISMS Operate by the interaction of 3 components: Receptors-sensitive to stimuli Control Center-receives & processes information Effectors-cell or organ that responds
FEEDBACK MECHANISM EXAMPLES a_pre_2011/homeo/homeosts.shtml a_pre_2011/homeo/homeosts.shtml Book Animation
HOMEOSTATIC MECHANISMS Classified as: Negative Feedback Mechanisms or Positive Feedback Mechanisms
NEGATIVE FEEDBACK MECHANISMS Operate to bring the internal environment back to the homeostatic, or normal, state They work in such a way that they negate, or oppose the change that has occurred from the normal, homeostatic state They slow or stop a process Examples; regulation of body temperature, blood sugar, blood oxygen level, heart rate, respiration rate, and pH levels in the stomach
POSITIVE FEEDBACK MECHANISMS Operate to increase the deviation from the normal, homeostatic state Usually only operate in specific situations and for short periods of time They speed up a process Examples; blood clotting process, the labor process, and many enzymatic reactions