Physiology Unit 1 Homeostasis

Homeostasis is the process by which living organisms regulate their internal environment to maintain a stable, constant condition, despite changes in the external environment. This regulation is crucial for the organism's survival and proper functioning. It involves various feedback mechanisms that control factors such as body temperature, pH levels, glucose concentration, and other vital conditions.

Intrinsic regulatory mechanisms refer to the internal processes within an organ that help regulate its functioning. These mechanisms are inherent to the organ itself and do not depend on external factors. They include processes such as autoregulation, where the organ adjusts its own blood flow or pressure based on its needs. Intrinsic regulation is essential for maintaining homeostasis and ensuring that the organ functions optimally.

Positive feedback is a regulatory mechanism in which the response to a stimulus causes the controlled variable to move further from a steady state. In positive feedback, the output or response amplifies the original stimulus, leading to an even greater response. This can result in a runaway effect or exponential growth. Positive feedback loops are often found in biological systems, such as blood clotting or childbirth contractions, where they help to amplify and accelerate certain processes.

Extrinsic regulation refers to the control of an organ or system by external factors such as the nervous system and the endocrine system. These systems work together to maintain homeostasis and regulate various bodily functions. The nervous system uses electrical signals to transmit information quickly, while the endocrine system uses hormones to carry out slower, long-term regulation. Together, they coordinate and control the activities of organs and systems throughout the body, ensuring that they function properly and respond appropriately to internal and external stimuli.

Doesn't maintain homeostasis, but is short in duration and infrequent.

Negative feedback is a regulatory mechanism that helps maintain stability in a system. In this context, the three important measurements associated with negative feedback are: the range, which refers to the acceptable limits within which the system can operate; the set-point, which is the desired value or target that the system aims to maintain; and the sensitivity of the receptor, which determines how responsive the system is to changes in the input. These measurements work together to ensure that the system stays within the desired range and adjusts accordingly to maintain homeostasis.

Extrinsic and intrinsic are the two types of homeostasis regulatory mechanisms. Extrinsic mechanisms involve the involvement of external factors or systems to regulate homeostasis, such as the nervous system and endocrine system. These systems respond to changes in the external environment and send signals to the body to maintain balance. On the other hand, intrinsic mechanisms involve the body's internal mechanisms to regulate homeostasis, such as the autoregulation of blood pressure or the release of hormones in response to changes in blood sugar levels. Both types of mechanisms work together to ensure that the body maintains a stable internal environment.