Homeostasis & The Nervous System Biology 30 Unit 1 Homeostasis & The Nervous System
Homeostasis: Defined Homeostasis maintaining a constant internal environment. Temp. = 37ºC pH = 7.4 [Blood glucose] = 0.1%
Homeostasis: Homeostatic mechanisms processes and activities that help to maintain homeostasis three functional components Receptor: detects change Control center: process info and sends instructions for response Effector: carries out response
Homeostatic mechanisms Homeostasis is achieved through feedback regulation There are two types of feedback systems Positive Feedback (non-homeostatic) Negative Feedback (homeostatic)
Feedback Regulation Positive Feedback Examples Feedback that increases the initial fluctuation Examples Microphone picking up a sound then amplifying that sound and picking it up again... Contractions during childbirth Fever
Feedback Regulation Negative Feedback Feedback that counteracts the initial fluctuation tends to stabilize a system, correcting deviations from the setpoint Examples The action of heat on a thermostat Thermoregulation Blood glucose levels pH
Thermostat/Furnace
Thermoregulation The expenditure of energy involves elaborate chemical reactions, most of which are sensitive to temperature. In mammals the metabolic cost of maintaining endothermy is expensive, requiring at least 90% of total metabolism to be devoted to the regulation of body temperature.
Maintenance of a Constant Temperature 37o Decrease body temp: Vasodilatation Sweat Breathing Decrease metabolism Behavioral changes Clothing Basking Increase Body temp: Vasoconstriction Increase metabolism Insulation (fat layer) Increase Muscle activity Shivering Goose flesh Behavioral changes Clothing Huddling
Maintenance of a Constant Temperature 37o Vasodilation Vasoconstriction
Maintenance of a Constant Temperature 37o