13.

1 HOMEOSTASIS

What is Homeostasis?
 Homeostasis
• The regulation of physical & chemical factors of the internal
environment within normal ranges for the cell to function in optimum
conditions.

• Regulates the internal environment in order for it to be in a constant

state although external environment changes a lot to ensures cell
activity continues to function at the optimum level.

Physical & Chemical factors of the internal environment

Physical factors that need to be regulated:

i. Temperature
ii. Osmotic blood pressure
iii. Blood pressure

Chemical factors that need to be regulated:

iv. pH value
v. Concentration of minerals
vi. Blood sugar concentrations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz0Q9nTZCw4&feature=youtu.be
In homeostasis:
a) a factors that exceeds the normal ranges is brought down to the normal
range.
b) a factors that falls below the normal range is increased to the normal
range.

The organ involved in maintaining an optimal internal

environment

 Body temperature
- regulated by the integumentary system (skin & sweat glands), nervous
system, circulatory system, muscle system & endocrine system

 Blood sugar levels

- regulated by the endocrine gland, circulatory system & digestive system

 Partial pressure of carbon dioxide

- regulated by the respiratory system, circulatory system &
nervous system

 Blood pressure
- regulated by the circulatory system & nervous system
 Regulation of Body Temperature
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJhsyS4lTW0&feature=youtu.be

• Temperature too high will denature cell

• Temperature too low will slow down the metabolic activity of cell &
prevent it from carrying out cell processes
• These changes in body temperature are detected by thermoreceptors
in the skin & the hypothalamus
Body temperature rises above normal ranges
are detected by
i. Thermoreceptors in the hypothalamus
ii. Thermoreceptors in the skin
 Regulation of Body Temperature by
Effectors through Physical Methods
When temperature is rises above normal ranges (too high) :
Erector muscles Arterioles
 Less stimulated  Dilate (vasodilation) to
 Do not constrict allow more blood to flow
 Fine hair lower towards the to the skin surface
skin surface  More heat lost to the
As a result , a thin layer of air external environment
is trapped between the fine through radiation
hair so heat can be released
quickly.
Sweat glands
 Stimulated to produce
more sweat
 Heat is absorbed to
evaporate sweat and this
cools the skin

Skeletal muscles
 Contract & relax less
 Body does not shiver
 Regulation of Body Temperature by
Effectors through Chemical Methods
When temperature is rises above normal ranges (too high) :

Adrenal glands Thyroid gland

 Less stimulated to secrete
adrenaline
 Metabolic rate decreases
 Not stimulated
 The secretion of thyroxine is
reduced
 Metabolic rate decreases
 No excess heat is generated
 Regulation of Body Temperature by
Effectors through Physical Methods
Body temperature drops below normal ranges
are detected by
i. Thermoreceptors in the hypothalamus
ii. Thermoreceptors in the skin

When temperature is drop below normal ranges (too low) :

Erector muscles
 Stimulated
 Contract
 Fine hair stand erect
 A thick layer of air trapped
between the fine hairs acts an
insulator that prevent heat loss
from the skin
Skeletal muscles
 Contract & relax
 Body will shiver & generates heat to turn raises the body
temperature because the constriction of muscles requires
energy

Arterioles
 Stimulated to constrict Sweat gland
 Not stimulated
(vasoconstriction)
 Less blood flow to the surface of the  Sweating does not happen
skin
 Less heat is lost the external
environment through radiation
 Regulation of Body Temperature by
Effectors through Chemical Methods
When temperature is drop below normal ranges (too low) :
Adrenal glands
 Stimulated to secrete more
adrenaline which speeds up the
conversion of glycogen to glucose
 Metabolic rate increases
 Oxidation of glucose releases heat
to warm the body
Thyroid gland
 Stimulated to secrete more
thyroxine which will increase the
matebolic rate
 More heat is generated for the
body
 Regulation of Blood Sugar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHrX3X3LGzI&feature=youtu.be
• Pancreas is responsible for maintaining blood sugar (glucose) level within the
normal range (75-110mg/100ml)
• Langerhans cells in the pancreas produce & secrete insulin and glucose
continuously into the bloodstream to regulate blood sugar levels

Blood sugar levels Blood sugar levels drop

increase (after a meal)
Pancreas (in between meals)

 Insulin stimulates the muscle

cells to use glucose in the
process of cell respiration
 Insulin stimulates the
conversion of excess glucose
to glycogen to be stored in
the liver & muscle cells
 In adipose cells , insulin
converts excess glucose to fat
Adipose cells Liver  Glucagon stimulates liver
cells to convert glycogen
to glucose
 Glucagon also promotes
the breakdown of fat to
release fatty acids that
Negative feedback can be metabolised to
produce energy
Blood sugar levels go back to normal
 Diabetes mellitus
• Failure in the production , secretion & intake of insulin by target cells
• The blood sugar level of diabetic patients is usually high & unstable after meal

The patients will feels :

1) Thirsty
2) Tired
3) Fatigued
4) Suffers weight loss

Diabetes mellitus can be controlled

through:
i. Insulin injections
ii. Pills that lower blood sugar levels
iii. A proper diet
 Regulation of partial
pressure of carbon dioxide
in the blood

• Breathing is an involuntary action that is

regulated by the respiratory control centre in
the medulla oblongata.

• The respiratory control centre helps maintain

homeostasis by controlling the partial pressure of
carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood.
 Process of regulating partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the blood
During vigorous activity , the partial • Carbon dioxide dissolves in blood plasma to
pressure of carbon dioxide increases form carbonic acid.
because of cellular respiration. • Carbonic acid is broken down into hydrogen
ions & bicarbonate ions.
pH values of blood & tissue fluid that
flood the brain (cerebrospinal fluid)
decreases.

The change in pH is detected by the Nerve impulses Respiration

central chemoreceptor in the medulla triggered & control centre
oblongata (sensory cells that are sensitive send &
to chemicals) and peripheral cardiovascular
chemoreceptor in the neck (carotid body control centre
& aortic body. inside the
medulla
oblongata.
Intercostal muscles ,
diaphragm & cardiac
muscles contract
and relax quickly.
Nerve impulse
sent

Breathing rate , heart rate &

ventilation rate increase.
This causes more carbon dioxide
gas to be expelled from the lungs.
 Blood pressure regulation mechanism
www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3BCFOlk1oQ&feature=youtu.be
• Baroreceptors or pressure receptors are located in the
aortic arch and carotid artery.

• The carotid artery is the artery in the neck that

supplies blood to the head.

• These receptors detect the pressure of blood flowing

through them & continuously send impulses to the
cardiovascular control centre in the medulla oblongata
to regulate blood pressure.
When an individual’s blood pressure drops, if
there is serious bleeding.
Baroreceptors in the aortic arch and
carotid artery are less stimulated.
The cardiovascular control centre in the
medulla oblongata is less stimulated.
Arterial vasoconstriction occurs.
 This adds resistance to the flow of
blood in the bloodstream.
 Stronger contractions of cardiac
muscles occur.
Blood pressure increase
Blood pressure returns to the normal
ranges
 Vasoconstriction
When an individual’s blood pressure
increase , for an example during vigorous
activities.
Baroreceptors in the aortic arch and
carotid artery are stimulated.
The cardiovascular control centre in the
medulla oblongata is stimulated.
Vasodilation occurs.
 This reduce the resistance of the
flow of blood in the bloodstream.
 Weak contractions of cardiac muscles
occur.
Blood pressure drops
Blood pressure returns to the normal
ranges
 Vasodilation
 Questions
1) What is the definition of homeostasis?

2) Blood pressure is regulated by which two system?

3) Which part of body detect the body temperature changes?

4) What is diabetes mellitus?

5) In the blood pressure regulation , why vasoconstriction

happen?
---The End---