Homeostasis

Regulation of blood sugar, water and heat

Homeostasis is the regulation of conditions in the body such as temperature, water content and
carbon dioxide levels. Diabetes is a condition where the body cannot regulate its blood glucose
levels.

The conditions inside our body must be very carefully controlled if the body is to function
effectively. Homeostasis is the maintenance of a constant internal environment. The nervous
system and hormones are responsible for this.
One example of homeostasis is the concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood being carefully
controlled. Here are some of the other internal conditions that are regulated:

Body temperature
This is controlled to maintain the temperature at which the body’s enzymes work best, which is
usually 37°C.

Blood sugar level

This is controlled to provide cells with a constant supply of glucose for respiration. It is
controlled by the release and storage of glucose, which is in turn controlled by insulin.

Water content
This is controlled to protect cells by stopping too much water from entering or leaving them.
Water content is controlled by water loss from:

· the lungs - when we exhale

· the skin - by sweating
· the body - in urine produced by the kidneys
Negative feedback
Homeostatic control is achieved using negative feedback mechanisms:

· if the level of something rises, control systems reduce it again

· if the level of something falls, control systems raise it again
 Regulating body temperature

The human body is designed to function most efficiently at 37ºC. If you become too hot or too
cold, there are ways in which your body temperature can be controlled.

Too hot
When we get too hot:

· Sweat glands in the skin release more sweat. The sweat evaporates, removing heat energy
from the skin.
· Blood vessels leading to the skin capillaries become wider - they dilate - allowing more blood
to flow through the skin, and more heat to be lost.
Too cold
When we get too cold:

· Muscles contract rapidly - we shiver. These contractions need energy from respiration, and
some of this is released as heat.
· Blood vessels leading to the skin capillaries become narrower - they constrict - letting less
blood flow through the skin and conserving heat in the body.
The skin
The hairs on the skin also help to control body temperature. They lie flat when we are warm, and
rise when we are cold. The hairs trap a layer of air above the skin, which helps to insulate the
skin against heat loss.
The hypothalamus is the part of the brain which monitors the body's temperature. It receives
information from temperature-sensitive receptors in the skin and circulatory system.
The hypothalamus responds to this information by sending nerve impulses to effectors to
maintain body temperature. For example, if we become too cold, the hair erector muscles
contract. This raises the skin hairs and traps a layer of air next to the skin.
 Skin hairs lie flat when we are hot and stand upright when we are cold

Negative feedback mechanisms control body temperature. They include the amount of:

· shivering (rapid muscle contractions release heat)

· sweating (evaporation of water in sweat causes cooling)
· blood flowing in the skin capillaries

Negative feedback in temperature regulation

Vasoconstriction and vasodilation
The amount of blood flowing through the skin capillaries is altered
by vasoconstriction and vasodilation.

Too cold Too hot

Process Vasoconstriction Vasodilation

Arterioles Get narrower Get wider

Blood flow in skin capillaries Decreases Increases

Heat loss from skin Decreases Increases

These diagrams show the processes that take place when vasoconstriction and vasodilation
occur.

Vasoconstriction – a response to being too cold

Vasodilation – a response to being too hot

Regulating blood glucose

Glucose is needed by cells for respiration. It is important that the concentration of glucose in the
blood is maintained at a constant level. Insulin is a hormone - produced by the pancreas - that
regulates glucose levels in the blood.

Action of insulin

Low glucose High glucose

Insulin not secreted into the Insulin secreted into the

Effect on pancreas
blood blood

Does not convert glucose into Converts glucose into

Effect on liver
glycogen glycogen

Effect on blood
Increases Decreases
glucose level

The diagram shows how this works:

 Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition in which the blood glucose levels remain too high. It can be treated by
injecting insulin. The extra insulin causes the liver to convert glucose into glycogen, which
reduces the blood glucose level. There are two types of diabetes - Type 1 and Type 2.

Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by a lack of insulin. It can be controlled by:

· monitoring the diet

· injecting insulin

People with Type 1 diabetes have to monitor their blood sugar levels throughout the day. Their
levels of physical activity and their diet affect the amount of insulin needed.

They can help to control their blood glucose level by being careful with their diet (eating foods
that will not cause big spikes in their blood sugar level) and by exercising (which can lower
blood glucose levels due to increased respiration in the muscles).

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is caused by a person’s body becoming resistant to insulin. It can be

controlled by diet and exercise. There is a link between rising levels of obesity and increasing
levels of Type 2 diabetes.

Changes in obesity and Type 2 diabetes

Questions

1. What is homeostasis?

2. Explain why an organism may need certain conditions to remain constant in their bodies.

3. What are some internal conditions that are maintained by humans?

4. What is a feedback mechanism?

5. How do positive feedback mechanisms and negative feedback mechanisms benefit organisms?

6. What is the difference between temperature and heat? What are their units of measurement?

7.Why do humans need to regulate their body temperature? How is this done?

8. What is the difference between vasoconstriction and vasodilation?

9. Which hormone helps regulate blood glucose levels?

10. How is blood glucose level regulated?

11. What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?

12. How does obesity affect type 2 diabetes?