Alford Academy

Higher Biology

Unit 3: Control and Regulation

Physiological Homeostasis
Chapter 33

Name: ________________ Teacher: ________________

1

Physiological Homeostasis

Homeostasis literally means staying the same. Physiological homeostasis is the maintenance of the bodys internal environment within certain tolerable limits. The community of cells and the tissue fluid that surrounds them are collectively known as the internal environment. The following are examples of factors which are controlled by homeostatic mechanisms: Water concentration (Osmoregulation) Blood sugar levels (Glucose concentration) Temperature (Thermoregulation)

1)

Why does the core body temperature need to be precisely controlled?

2)

Why does the water concentration of the blood need to be precisely controlled?

3)

Why does the sugar level of the blood need to be precisely controlled?

Negative feedback control The maintenance of homeostasis is by the method of negative feedback. This means that a change from the norm/set point in one direction automatically brings about a change in the opposite direction. In order to bring this about receptors and effectors are needed.

Receptors detect a change from the Norm or Set-Point of the bodys internal environment. These receptors send nervous or hormonal messages, which are received by effectors. The effectors respond which counteracts the original change, returning the system to the set-point.

Osmoregulation The water content of the blood is detected by osmoreceptors in the hypothalamus. If the water content of the blood is low the hypothalamus triggers the release of Antidiuretic Hormone ( ADH) by the pituitary gland. ADH stimulates the kidney tubules to become more permeable and increases the volume of water reabsorbed into the blood.

The Kidney Urinary system Nephron

take place?

1. In which part of the nephron does filtration

2. In which part of the nephron does reabsorption takes place?

3. If you drink a lot of water what happens to the volume and concentration of the urine you produce afterwards?

4. If you are short of water, perhaps from sweating a lot, what happens to the volume and concentration of the urine you produce?

Read Torrance page 279 (old), page 307 (new). Use the following words to complete the exercise: Hypothalamus, less, pituitary gland, more, sweating, collecting ducts, When the water concentration of the blood falls, due to example, osmoreceptors in the stimulated. These osmoreceptors stimulate the to release ADH (antiof the brain are for

diuretic hormone) into the blood. When ADH reaches the kidney it acts on the
5

tubules and

, making them

permeable to water.

Due to this, water which would normally have passed along the collecting duct to become urine is instead reabsorbed into the blood, increasing the water concentration of the blood to the normal level.

This return to the set point is detected by the osmoreceptors and ADH production is reduced. This in turn reduces the permeability of the kidney tubules so that water is reabsorbed into the blood; instead it will pass

through the collecting duct and become urine. TYK page 280 (old) or page 308 (new) 1a) What is meant by the term physiological homeostasis?

bi)

Outline the principle of negative feedback control.

bii)

Why is such control of advantage to an organism?

2ai) Where in the human body are the osmoreceptors found that respond to a decrease in water concentration of the blood?

ii)

Which part of the body releases an increased concentration of ADH under these circumstances?

b)

By what means does ADH bring about its effect so that water is conserved by the body?

3.

Compare the relative volume and concentration of urine produced when the water concentration of the blood is (i) above the set point

(ii)

below the set point

Control of Blood Sugar Level All respiring cells require a supply of glucose. The nervous system is sensitive to any reduction in the normal glucose level. A rise in blood glucose level can also be dangerous. The supply of glucose varies in mammals because they do not eat continuously and the quantity of carbohydrate intake changes from meal to meal. There may be long periods when no glucose is absorbed from the gut into the blood. Cells require a constant supply of glucose for respiration. A system which maintains a steady glucose level in the blood despite intermittent supplies from the gut is required. If blood sugar levels rise above the set-point, cells in the Pancreas called Islets of Langerhans detect this change. These cells respond by producing Insulin. This hormone is transported to the liver in the bloodstream where it activates an enzyme which catalyses the reaction Glucose Glycogen, this brings the blood sugar level back to normal. If blood sugar level drops, different cells in the Islets of Langerhans release Glucagon. Again this hormone is transported to the liver where it activates a different enzyme which catalyses the reaction, Glycogen Glucose, bringing the blood sugar level back to normal.

Glucose is stored in the liver as Glycogen. This store can be removed from or added to.

Diabetes Mellitus This is a condition in which some or all of the Insulin secreting cells are nonfunctional. This causes a rise in blood sugar level causing sugar to be excreted in the urine, as there is too much to be reabsorbed. This can cause weight loss and wasting of tissues, however, it can be controlled by Insulin injections and controlled diet. Adrenaline In an emergency, the body may need additional supplies of glucose to provide energy for fight or flight. Adrenal Glands, which are positioned above the kidney, release Adrenaline. Adrenaline then overrides normal homeostatic control of blood sugar level. Insulin is inhibited and Glycogen Glucose is promoted. Once the emergency is over, secretion of adrenaline is reduced and blood sugar level returns to normal. Homeostatic control of blood sugar
8

Complete the following diagram using information from the previous pages and your Torrance textbook. Detected by receptor cells in the

Pancreas produces ____ insulin and glucagon in blood glucose after eating food.

Excess glucose stored as glycogen in the

Normal glucose concentration in blood

in blood glucose after exercise.

Glycogen converted into __________in the liver Pancreas produces insulin and glucagon

Detected by receptor cells in the TYK page 283 (old) or page 311(new) 1. Hormones are chemical messengers released directly into the bloodstream by endocrine glands. Complete the table on the next page using one or more answers from the list below it

Hormone

Endocrine gland that

9

Effect of hormone

secretes it Adrenaline Insulin ADH Glucagon

List A B C D E 2a)

promotes conversion of excess glucose to glycogen increases permeability of kidney collecting ducts promotes conversion of glycogen to glucose decreases blood sugar level prepares the body to cope with an emergency

With reference to concentration of sugar in the bloodstream, state the circumstances that lead to: (i) (ii) glycogen being converted to glucose glucose being converted to glycogen

(3)

(i) In the homeostatic control of blood sugar level, which organ is the receptor and which is the effector?

(ii)Suggest why such a corrective mechanism is described as a form of negative feedback control.

Now answer AYK Question 2 page 289 (old), page 318(new).

Control of body temperature

10

Ectotherms These are animals that are unable to regulate their body temperature. This means that their body temperature varies directly with that of the external environment. Includes all invertebrates, fish, amphibians and reptiles. Endotherms These animals are able to maintain their body temperature despite changes in the external temperature. All birds and mammals are endotherms. They have a high metabolic rate, which generates heat energy. Regulation of their body temperature is brought about by homeostatic control. Homeostatic control in endotherms The hypothalamus acts as a receptor in regulation, by detecting fluctuations in temperature. These receptors are better known as thermoreceptors. The skin also possesses thermoreceptors, which can detect the temperature of the external environment. This information is relayed to the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus transmits nervous impulses to the skin which acts as an effector. The hypothalamus also sends messages to other effectors which can alter the metabolic rate.

Thermoregulation
11

12

Role of skin Correction of overheating Vasodilation- dilation of arterioles under skin allow more heat to be lost by radiation.

Much heat lost by radiation

Capillaries receive large volume of overheated blood Arterioles become dilated Nerve impulses from hypothalamus

Arteriole

Venule

Increased sweating- brings body temperature down as body heat is used to evaporate the sweat.

Correction of overcooling Vasoconstriction-constriction of arterioles under skin means less heat is lost by radiation.

Very little heat lost by radiation

Capillaries receive small volume of blood Arteriole becomes constricted Nerve impulses from hypothalamus

Arteriole Venule Decreased sweating-means more body heat is conserved

13

Contraction of hair erector muscles-hairs rise allowing a layer of air to be trapped between the skin and external environment. Air is a poor conductor of heat and acts as a good insulator.

Other corrective mechanisms Include increase in shivering and metabolic rate when the temperature drops. And a decrease in metabolic rate when the temperature rises. Extreme conditions If exposure is prolonged for example to freezing temperatures, negative feedback breaks down and can result in death. Now answer TYK questions 1-4 Page 288 (old), page 317 (new) Now answer AYK question 5 page 289 (old), page 318 (new). Control of heat by an ectotherm

14

1. Describe the changes in the lizard body temperature and in the environment temperatures as shown by the graph.

2. Explain how posture (A) helps the iguana to warm up.

3. Explain why the iguana takes up the elevated posture (B) when it is warm enough.

4. Suggest what the iguana could do if its body temperature rose too high.

5.The graph below shows a graph of oxygen consumption and air temperature of an endotherm and exotherm. Decide which is for the ectotherm and which is for the endotherm (X or Y) and give reasons for you choice.

X=________________Y = _________________ Explanation: _______________________________________

Physiological Homeostasis
15

Activity

I can find I can this in my do notes this

State the meaning of the term "Homeostasis" State why each of these must be maintained within particular levels: glucose content of blood; water content of blood & cell chemicals; temperature State what is meant by the term "Negative Feedback" Briefly describe the mechanism of negative feedback in general terms using points: changes in body's conditions; receptor sites; messages sent; effectors; initiation of correcting mechanism; final outcome Describe how the negative feedback process operates to return the water content of blood to normal when the body has: a) too much water b) too little water Describe how the negative feedback process operates to return the blood sugar levels to normal if the body has: a) too much glucose b) too little glucose State when the body must release extra adrenaline Describe the role of adrenaline in glucose metabolism Describe how the negative feedback process operates to return the body temperature to normal when:a) the body is too hot b) the body is too cold Define the terms "endotherm" and "ectotherm" and give examples of each

16