Homeostasis

Homeostasis is the ability to maintain a constant internal

environment in spite of changes in the surroundings. i.e. keeping the
conditions which surround cells constant.
These conditions include: body temperature, Sugar (glucose) level in
the blood, pH and water concentration.
There are many feedback mechanisms taking place in the body
which keep many aspects of the internal environment constant.
e.g. Osmoregulation maintains a constant water concentration in the
body.
Note: A constant internal environment is important for the functioning of
enzymes, which control all metabolic reactions, essential to life.

How does a feedback mechanism work?

Diagram showing a feedback system:

detector
increase

Corrective measures taken

by appropriate organs

decrease
negative feedback

Normal Level

Normal Level

decrease

increase
detector

Corrective measures taken

by appropriate organs

Normal Level this is the set point or optimum level of the

condition being controlled
Detector the part of the organism that detects or senses the
change in the internal environment
Corrective measure the response taken to correct the changes
in the internal environment
Negative feedback the switching off of the detector when the
corrective measures have been taken
*If the corrective measure fail it results in a positive feedback i.e.
the change in the internal environment continues uncorrected.

The Human Skin & Temperature Control

The skin is made up of two layer of different types of cells. The
top layer called the epidermis is thinner. The lower layer is called
the dermis.
The epidermis
The top layer of the epidermis is made up of dead cells and is
called the cornfied layer. It is hard & waterproof and protects the
softer living cells underneath.
At the base of the epidermis is the Malpighian layer of cellss
which divide by mitosis to make new cells that goes to the upper
layers.
Some cells in the epidermis contain a dark pigment called
melanin which absorbs harmful sun rays.

The skin fold inwards at many points to form a hair follicle. A hair,
which is made up of a protein called keratin, grows out from each
follicle.
Each follicle has a sebaceous gland which make an oil liquid called
sebum which keeps the hair and skin soft and supple.
The Dermis
Most of the dermis is made up of connective tissue (elastic fibres &
collagen) which loses elasticity with age.
There are sweat glands in the dermis which secrete sweat which travel
up to the skins surface through the sweat pores.
The dermis also contains blood vessels and nerve endings which are
sensitive to touch, pressure pain & temperature.
There is a layer of fat (i.e. adipose tissue) under the dermis which help
insulate the body.

Temperature Regulation
The hypothalamus in the brain detects if the bloods temperature is
above or below its normal level of 37 C. It will then send nerve
impulses to the appropriate body parts to carry out corrective
measures.
The Skin & Temperature Regulation:
Body Temperature above 37 C

Body Temperature below 37 C

Sweating occurs: evaporation of

sweat removes heat

Sweating stops: no sweat to

evaporate & remove heat

Vasodilation: capillaries in
dermis widens to lose heat from
blood

Vasoconstriction capillaries in
dermis narrows to reduce heat
loss

Hair erector muscles relax

hair lies flat on skin & doesnt

Hair erector muscle contracts:

hairs stand up and traps extra

Note: The body

can also produce
extra heat by
shivering &
increasing
metabolic rate.

Functions of the Skin

Regulates body temperature

Excretion of salts, water & small amount of urea in sweat
Detects changes in temperature, pain, pressure
Prevents the entry of disease causing organisms e.g. bacteria
Prevents water loss (because it is water-proof)
Protection from mechanical injury
Makes vitamin D using sunlight

Regulation of Body Temperature

Regulation of Water Concentration (Osmoregulation)

Pituitary
Gland release
ADH

No ADH
released

Regulation of Blood Glucose Level

When we eat a meal rich in carbohydrate our blood glucose

level increases, which is detected by cells in the pancreas:
this causes the pancreas to secrete a hormone called insulin
into the blood which causes:
- the muscle & liver cells to absorb more glucose from the blood
for respiration
-the liver to convert excess glucose into glycogen and store it
-the liver convert excess glucose into fat and store it
Blood glucose level falls during times of fasting, which is
detected by cells in the pancreas:
The pancreas secretes the glucagon hormone which causes:
-the liver & muscle cells to absorb less glucose
-the liver to covert glycogen into glucose
-the liver to covert fat into glucose

Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease in which the pancreas fails to produce enough
insulin or the body fails to respond to insulin.
As a result, diabetics are unable to regulate their blood glucose
levels efficiently.
After eating a carbohydrate-rich meal, glucose accumulates in
their body, and is lost in urine, since the kidneys can not reabsorb
all. Glucose in the urine can be detected by tests.
Diabetics can use injectable insulin in order to metabolize & store
glucose normally.