Homeostasis discussion|Course hero helper

Homeostasis is the ability of the body to maintain a stable internal environment in response to changes in the external environment. This stability is maintained through a complex system of physiological control mechanisms, which work to regulate various physiological variables such as temperature, fluid balance, and blood pressure.

One example of a negative feedback loop in the body is the regulation of body temperature. The hypothalamus, which acts as a temperature control center, monitors changes in body temperature and responds to deviations from the set point (the normal range) by activating appropriate physiological responses. For example, if the body temperature rises above the set point, the hypothalamus activates mechanisms such as sweating and vasodilation to dissipate heat, which brings the body temperature back down to the set point.

An example of an imbalance in a body system and how it adjusts to bring it back to homeostasis is the regulation of blood glucose levels. Blood glucose levels are regulated by the hormone insulin, which is released by the pancreas in response to rising blood glucose levels. Insulin acts to promote the uptake and storage of glucose by cells, which decreases blood glucose levels. Conversely, if blood glucose levels fall below the set point, the pancreas releases the hormone glucagon, which stimulates the liver to release glucose into the bloodstream, bringing blood glucose levels back to the set point. Normal blood glucose levels are typically within the range of 70-110 mg/dL.