How the

NERVOUS SYSTEM
Coordinates and
regulates feedback
mechanisms to
maintain homeostasis
WHO DEFINED
HOMEOSTASIS?
CLAUDE BERNARD (1813–1878) FRENCH PHYSIOLOGIST
Often referred to as the founder of
modern experimental physiology

He developed the concept of “a

fixité du milieu intérieur,” or the
"constant of the internal
environment" that is, organisms
maintain a stable internal
environment despite changing
external conditions.
Walter B. Cannon (1871–1945) American Physiologist

FATHER OF HOMEOSTASIS

He built upon the work of Claude

Bernard and coined the word
homeostasis to describe a self-
regulating process by which
biological systems maintain
stability while adjusting to
changing conditions.
 Homeostasis is a central pillar of modern Physiology.

The term homeostasis from the Greek words

Ǒ μoιoς (hómoios) “similar” and στάσις (stásis)
“standing still” (together to mean staying similar
and not staying the same) to describe the self-
regulating processes by which a biological
system maintains stability while adjusting to
changing environmental conditions.
 The term homeostasis attempts
to convey two ideas: (1) an internal
stability within a range of values
and (2) the coordinated dynamic
response that maintains this
internal stability (self-regulatory
goal-seeking behavior).
WHAT IS
HOMEOSTASIS?
 HOMEOSTASIS

Homeostasis is the state

of balance in our body.
 HOMEOSTASIS

Homeostasis is the state

of balance in our body.

This state of balance in the body

must be maintained so the cells in
our body can function properly.
 HOMEOSTASIS

Homeostasis is the state

of balance in our body.

This state of balance in the body

must be maintained so the cells in
our body can function properly.
 HOMEOSTASIS

Homeostasis is the state

of balance in our body.

This state of balance in the body

must be maintained so the cells in
our body can function properly.

Variables - body temperature or

the chemical components
 EXAMPLE:
If we have too much sugar in our
blood. We may begin to feel
confused, dizzy, or even nauseated.
 EXAMPLE:
A cell in our body that has a small
amount of fluids surrounding it.
 EXAMPLE:
A cell in our body that has a small
amount of fluids surrounding it.
 EXAMPLE:
A cell in our body that has a small
amount of fluids surrounding it.
 EXAMPLE:
A cell in our body that has a small
amount of fluids surrounding it.
WHAT IS THE
IMPORTANCE
OF
HOMEOSTASIS
IN OUR BODY?
HOMEOSTASIS
The purpose of homeostasis in our
body is to maintain the
established internal environment
without being overcome by
external stimuli that exist to
disrupt the balance.
WHAT DO WE
MEAN BY
FEEDBACK
MECHANISM
FEEDBACK MECHANISM

It is the mechanism of the body to

maintain the levels of hormones in the
body within the desired limits. An
increase or decrease in the levels of the
hormones triggers the feedback
mechanism.
 TWO TYPES OF FEEDBACK MECHANISM:

Positive feedback Negative feedback

known as a positive
the response will
response or a self-
reverse or cause the
reinforcing response to
opposite effect of the
external or internal input. original stimulus. Most
In this, the effector boosts endocrine glands are
up the stimulus that under the control of
enhances the product negative feedback
formation for maintaining mechanisms.
body stability.
 NEGATIVE FEEDBACK
Oppose initial change
Reduce input
Resist change to bring the body closer
to the normal state.

High Blood Pressure Homeostasis

NEGATIVE FEEDBACK HAS
3 MAIN COMPONENTS

•RECEPTOR
•CONTROL CENTER
•EFFECTOR
RECEPTOR
gives information to the
central center.
monitors the body's
internal condition.
CONTROL CENTER
brain in most cases
integrates information
given by the receptors.
 EFFECTOR
may be cells, organs, or other
structures.
receives signals from the control
center.
changes function to correct
change in variable.
HOW
NEGATIVE
FEEDBACK
WORK?
NEGATIVE FEEDBACK
BLOOD PRESSURE
EXAMPLEs OF negative feedback
Body Temperature
EXAMPLEs OF negative feedback
 EXAMPLEs OF negative feedback
Production of human
red blood cells - A
decrease in oxygen is
detected by the kidneys
and they secrete a
hormone. This hormone
stimulates the
production of more red
blood cells.
POSITIVE FEEDBACK
reinforce initial change in variable.
increase input
result in more of a product
occur when something needs to happen quickly.
bring the body farther away from normal
variable.
stopped negative feedback once the process that
it was used is complete.

Penetrating Wound Homeostasis

 If you get a bad cut, the
blood vessel is damaged,
platelets start to cling to
the injured site and
release chemicals that
attract more platelets. The
platelets continue to pile
up and release chemicals
until a clot is formed.
HOW
POSITIVE
FEEDBACK
MECHANISM
WORK?
 POSITIVE FEEDBACK
control self-perpetuating events that can
be out of control and do not require
continuous adjustment. In positive
feedback mechanisms, the original
stimulus is promoted rather than negated.
Positive feedback increases the deviation
from an ideal normal value.
Child birth
EXAMPLEs OF Positive feedback
 EXAMPLEs OF negative feedback
Glucose and Insulin -
When we eat a meal a
large spike in glucose
happens. This changes
our glucose range beyond
the normal level. To
promote cells to use and
store glucose the body
releases insulin. This
brings the glucose level to
normal.
 EXAMPLEs OF Positive feedback
The pituitary gland of a
new mother produces
more prolactin (hormone)
as the baby suckles, which
leads to the production of
more milk. Once the baby
stops suckling for a few
days the production of
milk decreases.
 EXAMPLEs OF Positive feedback
An increase
release of
estrogen during
the follicular
phase of the
menstrual cycle
causes ovulation.
 EXAMPLEs OF Positive feedback
As someone
exercises, a signal
from the brainstem
causes the heart to
beat faster to move
more blood (and
oxygen) through the
body.
 EXAMPLEs OF negative feedback

When a human is
hungry, metabolism
slows down to
conserve energy and
allow the human to
continue living with
less food.
DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN
POSITIVE AND
NEGATIVE
FEEDBACK BASED
ON SPECIFIC
CRITERIA
 Feedback mechanism is a loop system in
which the system responds to perturbation
either in the same direction (positive
feedback) or in the opposite direction
(negative feedback). In a biological sense, a
feedback mechanism involves a biological
process, a signal, or a mechanism that
tends to initiate (or accelerate) or to inhibit
(or slow down) a process.
 A feedback mechanism may be
observed at the level of cells,
organisms, ecosystems, or the
biosphere. It regulates homeostasis or
balance to achieve a certain range or
level of optimal condition. Deviation
from homeostasis could eventually
lead to effects detrimental to the
proper functionality and organization
of a system.
DO

NE