Chapter 1

HOMEOSTASIS
Homeostasis
Definition:

• The existence and maintenance of a

relatively constant environment within the
body.

• The ability or tendency of an organism or

cell to maintain internal equilibrium by
adjusting its physiological processes.
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What is normal?
• Values of variables fluctuate around the set point to
establish a normal range of values.
• Set point: the ideal normal value of a variable.
• What is the set point for body temperature?
Body Temperature

37.5°C
(normal range)

37.0°C Set point

36.5°C

Time (min)
How does the body maintain homeostasis?

The role of organ systems:

• help control the body’s internal

environment

• communication between cells, tissues

and organ systems is crucial

• nervous system and endocrine system

play a large role
How does the body maintain homeostasis?
Feedback Systems

• 3 Components
• Receptor: monitors the value of some variable
• Control center: establishes the set point
• Effector: can change the value of the variable

• Stimulus: causes deviation from the set point; detected by the

receptor
• Response: produced by the effector
• Two types: negative and positive
Feedback Systems

Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
Negative Feedback

• Any deviation from the

set point is made
smaller (resisted)
– Examples: body
temperature, regulation of
blood pressure, blood
sugar levels
Positive Feedback
• When a deviation occurs, the response is to make the
deviation greater

• Unusual in normal, healthy individuals, leads away from

homeostasis and can result in death

• Example of harmful positive feedback: after

hemorrhage, blood pressure drops and the heart’s
ability to pump blood decreases
Positive Feedback

• Example of normal positive

feedback: childbirth

Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
Is B.P. during exercise non-homeostatic?
Loss of Homeostasis
Consequences of homeostasis disruption?
• Disease
• Death