LIFE SCIENCES

GRADE 12 CAPS
STRUCTURED, CLEAR, PRACTICAL
- HELPING TEACHERS UNLOCK
THE POWER OF NCS
KNOWLEDGE AREA:
Life Processes in Plants and
Animals

TOPIC 3.2: Homeostasis in

Humans

Homeostasis
SUMMARY OF PRESENTATION:
Definition of Homeostasis

Internal Environment of Humans and the

Conditions on which it Depends.

Conditions within the Tissue Fluid that

should be kept Constant.

Negative Feedback Mechanism to Maintain

Homeostasis

Thermoregulation
DEFINITION OF HOMEOSTASIS:
 Homeostasis refers to the ability of the
body to maintain a constant internal
environment irrespective of changes in the
external environment.
TERMINOLOGY:
TERM:
Homeostasis
DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:
Refers to the ability of the Osmoregulation is an
body to maintain a example of homeostasis.
constant internal
environment irrespective of
changes in the external
environment.
INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT OF HUMANS
AND THE CONDITIONS ON WHICH IT
DEPENDS
 Tissue fluid is
the internal
environment of
multicellular
organisms.
 Cells are surrounded
by the tissue fluid.
 Tissue fluid is also Diagram showing tissue fluid
called interstitial
fluid.
INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT OF HUMANS
AND THE CONDITIONS ON WHICH IT
DEPENDS
 Tissue fluid is made up of many solutes.
 These are substances that are dissolved in water.
 Some of these solutes are salt, sugar, hormones, amino
acids etc,
 The composition of the tissue fluid is affected by may
factors.
Some of these factors are:
1. pH
2. Water concentration
3. Oxygen and carbon dioxide content
4. Temperature and
5. Glucose content.
INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT OF HUMANS
AND THE CONDITIONS ON WHICH IT
DEPENDS
 The composition of the tissue fluid needs to be
kept constant in order to maintain the correct
functioning of the cells.
 Therefore the factors mentioned above must be
controlled to maintain the constancy of the
tissue fluid.
TERMINOLOGY:
TERM:
Tissue fluid/interstitial fluid
DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:
Refers to the fluid that The composition of the
bathes or surrounds the tissue fluid must be kept
cells of multicellular constant to prevent a
organisms. negative effect on the
functioning of the cells.
CONDITIONS WITHIN THE TISSUE FLUID
THAT SHOULD BE KEPT CONSTANT:
 As mentioned earlier some of the factors that
need to be maintained or controlled in order to
maintain the constancy of the tissue fluid are…
1. Glucose concentration
2. Water content
3. pH
4. Oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration
5. Temperature
INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT OF HUMANS
AND THE CONDITIONS ON WHICH IT
DEPENDS
 When we talk about these factors being controlled
it is not possible for them to be the same all the
time.
 Therefore we say that they must be kept constant
within narrow limits. This means that the changes
that occur must be very small or only slight.
NEGATIVE FEEDBACK MECHANISM
TO MAINTAIN HOMEOSTASIS:
 The levels of glucose, gases and water within the
blood must be kept constant, within narrow
limits.

This is done using the negative
feedback mechanism.
 We already know how the negative feedback
mechanism works in the endocrine system, but
 Negative feedback can also be achieved through
the nervous system.
NEGATIVE FEEDBACK MECHANISM TO
MAINTAIN HOMEOSTASIS:
 In this case any change or imbalance is sent back
to the nervous system.
 The nervous system then responds by sending
impulses to bring about a negative response.
 In this way the imbalance is corrected .
NEGATIVE FEEDBACK MECHANISM TO
MAINTAIN HOMEOSTASIS:
 Lets look at how each of the above substances in
the blood are kept constant within narrow limits.

1. Maintaining the Blood Glucose Levels:

 Remember that the blood glucose level is

maintained using the hormones…
a) Insulin and
b) Glucagon

Now lets look at how each hormone does this.

NEGATIVE FEEDBACK MECHANISM
TO MAINTAIN HOMEOSTASIS:
a) Insulin:
When the level of the blood sugar is too high…
 The information is sent to the islet of Langerhans
in the pancreas.
 The islet secretes the hormone insulin.
 Insulin then reduces the blood glucose level.

It reduces the blood sugar levels in the following

way…
1. It allows the glucose to be absorbed into the
cells, it is then used by the cells for cellular
respiration.
NEGATIVE FEEDBACK MECHANISM TO
MAINTAIN HOMEOSTASIS:
2. It causes the cells of the liver and muscles to
convert the excess glucose into glycogen and
store it.
 Therefore the levels of glucose is lowered to
normal.
 Therefore this is an example of a negative
feedback because…
 The high levels of glucose is referred to the
pancreas, which in turn secretes insulin which
then lowers the blood glucose level.
NEGATIVE FEEDBACK MECHANISM TO
MAINTAIN HOMEOSTASIS:
b) Glucagon:

When the blood glucose level is too low…

 The information is sent to the islet of Langerhans
in the pancreas.
 The islet secretes the hormone glucagon.
 Glucagon then increases the blood glucose level.

It increases the levels of glucose in the following

way…
1. It causes the glycogen in the liver and muscle
cells to be converted back into glucose.
NEGATIVE FEEDBACK MECHANISM TO
MAINTAIN HOMEOSTASIS:
 In this way the levels of glucose is increased to
normal.

Therefore this is an example of a negative feedback

because…
 The low levels of glucose is referred to the
pancreas, which in turn secretes glucagon which
then increases the blood glucose level to
normal.
NEGATIVE FEEDBACK MECHANISM TO
MAINTAIN HOMEOSTASIS:
2. Maintaining the oxygen and carbon dioxide
levels:

 When physical activity is increased, the body

needs more energy.
 Therefore cellular respiration increases to
provide this extra energy.
 The increased cellular respiration releases
more carbon dioxide.
NEGATIVE FEEDBACK MECHANISM TO
MAINTAIN HOMEOSTASIS:
 This means that the levels of carbon dioxide in
the body increases.
 If the levels of carbon dioxide becomes too high it
can affect the pH of the tissue fluid.
 Therefore the levels of carbon dioxide must be
kept constant with narrow limits.
 This is done through the negative feedback
mechanism.

Lets look at how this is achieved.

NEGATIVE FEEDBACK MECHANISM TO
MAINTAIN HOMEOSTASIS:
 When the levels of carbon dioxide increases,
special receptors in the medulla oblongata become
stimulated.
 The medulla oblongata then sends impulses to the
heart and breathing muscles (diaphragm and
intercostal muscles).
 This causes the heart to beat faster.
 Therefore blood rich in carbon dioxide is carried at
a faster rate to lungs from the heart.
 Remember that the breathing muscles are
responsible for the breathing movements, which
are inhalation and exhalation.
NEGATIVE FEEDBACK MECHANISM TO
MAINTAIN HOMEOSTASIS:
 The breathing muscle now speed up inhalation
and exhalation.
 These movements are also increased when the
abdominal muscles pushes up the diaphragm
with more force.
 Carbon dioxide is therefore exhaled faster.
 This means that the levels of carbon dioxide is
lowered to normal.
NEGATIVE FEEDBACK MECHANISM TO
MAINTAIN HOMEOSTASIS:
This is an example of a negative feed back
mechanism because…
 When the levels of carbon dioxide increases, the
medulla oblongata responds by increasing the
breathing movements and the heart rate and
therefore causing carbon dioxide to leave the body
at a faster rate.
 Therefore the levels of carbon dioxide is lowered
to normal.
 In this case the nervous system is responsible for
marinating the carbon dioxide levels by using the
negative feedback mechanism.
NEGATIVE FEEDBACK MECHANISM
TO MAINTAIN HOMEOSTASIS:
3. Osmoregulation:


Remember that osmoregulation refers
to maintaining a water balance.
 In the human body osmoregulation is brought
about using the nephron of the kidney.
 You studied this last year.
 Lets see if you remember…
NEGATIVE FEEDBACK MECHANISM TO
MAINTAIN HOMEOSTASIS:
When the level of water in the body is too high
then…

 Then special receptors called

osmorecepters become stimulated.
 These receptors are found in the hypothalamus.
 The hypothalamus sends a message to the
pituitary gland.

Which reduces the secretion of ADH.
NEGATIVE FEEDBACK MECHANISM
TO MAINTAIN HOMEOSTASIS:

This reduces the permeability of the renal
tubules.
 Therefore the water remains in the renal tubules.
 The water becomes a part of the urine and leaves
the body with the urine.
 Therefore more water is excreted and less water
is reabsorbed.
 In this way the water levels in the body is
lowered to normal.
NEGATIVE FEEDBACK MECHANISM TO
MAINTAIN HOMEOSTASIS:
When the water levels of the body is too low
then…
 The osmoreceptors in the hypothalamus
becomes stimulated.
 The hypothalamus then sends a message to the
pituitary gland.

The pituitary gland then secretes more ADH.
NEGATIVE FEEDBACK MECHANISM
TO MAINTAIN HOMEOSTASIS:
 This causes the permeability of the renal tubules
to increase.
 Therefore more water is able to leave the tubules
and enter the medulla by osmosis.
 This water is then reabsorbed by the blood
capillaries.
 The urine in the renal tubules will therefore be
very concentrated.
 Therefore the amount of water increases to
normal.
TERMINOLOGY:
TERM:
Osmoreceptors
DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:
These are special receptors Osmoreceptors send a
that are able to pick up any message to the pituitary
changes in the water level gland, when water levels
of the body. are not in balance.
TERMINOLOGY:
TERM:
Osmoregulation
DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:
Refers to the process of The kidneys in the human
maintaining the water body are responsible for
balance within an bringing about
organism. osmoregulation.
NEGATIVE FEEDBACK MECHANISM TO
MAINTAIN HOMEOSTASIS:
4. Maintenance of the Salt Levels:

When there is too little sodium in the body…

 More aldosterone is secreted by the adrenal gland.
 This ensures that more sodium is reabsorbed from
the distal and collecting tubules.
 The sodium is reabsorbed by the blood capillaries.
 Therefore less sodium will leave the body with the
urine.
 This ensures that the amount of sodium is raised to
normal.
NEGATIVE FEEDBACK MECHANISM TO
MAINTAIN HOMEOSTASIS:
When there is too much sodium in the body…

 Less aldosterone is secreted by the adrenal gland.

 Therefore less sodium is reabsorbed from the
distal and collecting tubules.
 This means that more sodium leaves the body
with the urine.
 Therefore the amount of sodium decreases back
to normal.
NEGATIVE FEEDBACK MECHANISM
TO MAINTAIN HOMEOSTASIS:
Remember that this is an example of the negative
feedback mechanism because…

 Any change in the level of sodium is referred

(FEDBACK) to the adrenal gland.
 Which then increases or decreases the levels of
aldosterone,
 Which in turn returns the levels of sodium back
to normal by doing the opposite (NEGATIVE) of
what is happening in the body.
NEGATIVE FEEDBACK MECHANISM
TO MAINTAIN HOMEOSTASIS:
Aldosterone also helps to maintain water levels in
the body in the following way…

 An increase in aldosterone levels means that

more sodium is retained in the blood.
 Therefore the concentration of the blood
increases,
 This in turn leads to more water leaving the
tubules and entering the capillaries.
NEGATIVE FEEDBACK MECHANISM
TO MAINTAIN HOMEOSTASIS:
A decrease in the levels of aldosterone means
that…

 Less sodium is reabsorbed.

 Therefore the concentration of the blood is
decreased,
 This means that water will leave the capillaries
and enter the tubules.
THERMOREGULATION:

Humans are endothermic.
 This means that they are able to maintain a
constant body temperature irrespective of the
temperature of the environment.
 Thermoregulation is the ability of an
organism to keep its body temperature within
certain limits, even when the external temperature
changes.
 In humans thermoregulation brought about by the
skin.
 Therefore we shall look at the structure of the skin.
THERMOREGULATION:
 The skin is made up
of 2 layers.
 These are the
epidermis and the
dermis.

1. The Epidermis

 The epidermis is
made up of 4 layers.
THERMOREGULATION:
These 4 layers are the…
a) The horny layer
which is made up of
flattened dead cells
 The protein keratin
is deposited in this
layer.
b) The non granular
layer. This is also
called the clear
layer.
THERMOREGULATION:
c) The granular layer
d) The germinative layer
which is made up of
actively dividing
cuboidal cells .
 These cells replace
the cells lost from
the horny layer.
 It also contains the
pigment that gives
the skin its colour.
THERMOREGULATION:
2. The Dermis

 This layer is made up

of dense connective
tissue.
It also contains the
following…
a) Blood and lymph
vessels
b) Receptors both sense
and nerve
THERMOREGULATION:
c) Sebaceous glands
d) Sweat glands and ducts
e) Hair follicles and
f) Erector muscles
 It is interesting to note
that the hair and
sweat glands are
epidermal structures,
but
 They project into the
dermis.
THERMOREGULATION:
Adaptations of the Skin for Thermoregulation:

1. There are many different sense receptors that able

to pick up various stimuli. For example Meissner’s
corpuscles are able to pick the stimulus of touch;
the stimulus of pressure is picked by the Pacinian
corpuscles and corpuscles of Ruffini. Then there are
the free nerve endings that are sensitive to pain, hot
and cold.
2. The walls of blood vessels are made up of smooth
muscles. These muscles ensure that the blood
vessels can dilate and constrict, according to the
needs of the body.
THERMOREGULATION:
this means that if the temperature is high then
vessels will dilate and allowing heat to escape. Or
if the temperature is low then the blood vessels
of the skin constricts to prevent heat from
escaping.
3. Sweat glands are present to secrete sweat. The
sweat is carried by sweat ducts to the surface of
the skin. Evaporation of the sweat, will allow the
body to cool down. Remember that during
cooler weather the sweat gland will be less
active to prevent heat loss.
THERMOREGULATION:
Role of the Skin in thermoregulation:

On a cold day…
THERMOREGULATION:
Now lets summarize this…
1. Cold receptors in the skin pick up the drop in
temperature.
2. The stimulus is converted to a nerve impulse.
3. The impulse is transmitted to the
hypothalamus.
4. The hypothalamus is also stimulated by low
blood temperature.
5. The hypothalamus sends nerve impulses to the
muscles of the blood vessels of the skin.
6. This causes the blood vessels to constrict.
THERMOREGULATION:
7. This is called vasoconstriction.
8. Vasoconstriction ensures that less blood comes
to the surface of the skin.
9. In this way less heat is lost to the environment.
10. Less blood is sent to the sweat glands.
11. This means that less sweat is produced.
12. Therefore no cooling would occur through
evaporation of sweat.
13. The above ensures that the body temperature
raises to normal.
THERMOREGULATION:
 On a hot day…
THERMOREGULATION:
Lets summarize…

1. The heat receptors in the skin are stimulated.

2. The receptors pick up the stimulates of heat and
converts it to a nerve impulse.
3. This nerve impulse is carried to the hypothalamus.
Hypothalamus is also stimulated directly by the higher
blood temperature.
4. The hypothalamus responds by sending nerve
impulses to muscles of the blood vessels of the skin.
5. This causes the blood vessels to dilate. This is also
called vasodilation.
THERMOREGULATION:
6. Therefore more blood flows to the surface of
the skin and the sweat glands.
7. Therefore heat escapes from the blood to the
external environment.
8. The sweat gland secretes more sweat.
9. Evaporation of the sweat causes the skin to
cool down.
10. Therefore the body temperature reduces to
normal.
TERMINOLOGY:
TERM:
Endothermic
DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:
Refers to organisms that Endothermic animals are
are able to maintain a able to keep a constant
constant body temperature body temperature.
irrespective of temperature
changes in the external
environment.
TERMINOLOGY:
TERM:
Thermoregulation
DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:
is the ability of an organism Thermoregulation ensures
to keep its body that an organisms body
temperature within certain temperature is maintained.
limits, even when the
external temperature is
different.
TERMINOLOGY:
TERM:

Vasoconstriction
DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:
Refers to the narrowing of When the body
the blood vessels. temperature drops, the
blood vessels undergo
vasoconstriction.
TERMINOLOGY:
TERM:
Vasodilation
DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:
Refers to the condition When the blood
when the blood vessels temperature is too high he
become wider. blood vessels of the skin
undergo vasodilation, to
allow some heat to be lost.
THERMOREGULATION:
 Sometimes this homeostatic control does not work.
 This leads to hyperthermia and hypothermia.

Lets look at each one…

o
Hyp thermia: l w o
 This occurs to when the body temperature becomes
less than 37˚C for a long period of time.
 During hypothermia the body losses more heat than
it can produce.
 It is usually caused by exposure to extremely cold
weather, for a long time.
THERMOREGULATION:
Hyperthermia:

 Refers to the condition when the body

temperature increases to above 37˚C for a long
period of time.
 This is usually caused by prolonged exposure to
high temperature.
 In this case the body absorbs a lot more heat
than it can lose.
TERMINOLOGY:
TERM:
Vasoconstriction
DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:
When the diameter of the When the body
blood vessel is reduced. temperature is too low
then vasoconstriction
occurs.
TERMINOLOGY:
TERM:

Vasodilation
DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:
When the diameter of the When the body
blood vessel becomes temperature is too high the
wider. blood vessel undergoes
vasodilation.
TERMINOLOGY:
 Homeostasis: refers to the ability of the body to
maintain a constant internal environment
irrespective of changes in the external
environment.
 Tissue/interstitial fluid: refers to the fluid that
bathes or surrounds the cells of multicellular
organisms.
 Osmoregulation: refers to the process of
maintaining the water balance within an organism.
 Osmoreceptors: these are special receptors that
are able to pick up any changes in the water level of
the body.
TERMINOLOGY:
 Thermoregulation: is the ability of an organism to
keep its body temperature constant within certain
limits, even when the external temperature is
different.
 Endothermic: refers to organisms that are able to
maintain a constant body temperature irrespective
of temperature changes in the external
environment.
 Vasoconstriction: refers to the narrowing of the
blood vessels.
 Vasodilation: refers to the condition when the
blood vessels become wider.
TERMINOLOGY:
 Vasoconstriction: when the diameter of the
blood vessel is reduced.
 Vasodilation: when the diameter of the blood
vessel becomes wider.
 QUESTION 1

1. Restricts heat loss from the blood.

A. Vasoconstriction
B. Vasdilation
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A nor B
 QUESTION 2

2. The increase in internal diameter of blood

vessels so that more blood flows through them…
A. Vasodilation
B. Vasoconstriction
C. Hypothermia
D. Hyperthermia
 QUESTION 3

3. The condition suffered by a person when the

core body temperature is raised so much that
body’s homeostatic control mechanism can no
longer cope…
A. Vasodilation
B. Vasoconstriction
C. Hypothermia
D. Hyperthermia
 QUESTION 4

4. Heat regulating centre in the brain is called…

A. Pituitary gland
B. Hypophysis
C. Hypothalamus
D. Both A and B
 QUESTION 5

5. Maintaining the water balance in the body is

referred to as…
A. Osmosis
B. Osmoregulation
C. Thermoregulation
D. None of the above
 QUESTION 6

6. When the carbon dioxide levels in the body increases

the…
A. Heart rate decreases and breathing movements
slow down.
B. Heart rate increases and breathing movements
slow down.
C. Heart rate increases and breathing movements
speed up.
D. Heart rate decreases and breathing movements
slow down
 QUESTION 7

7. When the carbon dioxide levels increase the

_______ becomes stimulated.
A. Hypothalamus
B. Pituitary glands
C. Medulla oblongata
D. None of the above
 QUESTION 8

8. To reduce the blood sugar level to normal the

hormone _______________ is secreted.
A. Insulin
B. Glucagon
C. Glycogen
D. ADH
 QUESTION 9

9. To increase the blood sugar level to normal the

hormone ______________ is secreted.
A. Insulin
B. Glucagon
C. Glycogen
D. ADH
 QUESTION 10

10. If the body is unable to control the blood

glucose level, and the level becomes too high
then we say that the person suffers from…
A. Dehydration
B. Diabetes insipidus
C. Diabetes mellitus
D. Hypothermia
 QUESTION 11

11. When the level of thyroxin is too high this

information is fed back to the pituitary gland which
reduces the secretion of TSH, which eventually
returns the levels of thyroxin to normal by doing the
opposite. This is known as…
A. Negative feedback mechanism
B. Positive feedback mechanism
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A nor B
 QUESTION 12

12. When the body has too much water…

A. More ADH is secreted
B. Less ADH is secreted
C. More glucagon is secreted
D. Less insulin is secreted
 QUESTION 13

13. When the body has too little water …

A. More ADH is secreted
B. Less ADH is secreted
C. More glucagon is secreted
D. Less insulin is secreted
 QUESTION 14

14. Any change in the water levels of the body

stimulates the…
A. Medulla oblongata
B. Pituitary gland
C. Osmoreceptors
D. Pacinian corpuscles
 QUESTION 15

15. Osmoreceptors are found in the…

A. Medulla oblongata
B. Pancreas
C. Hypothalamus
D. Hypophysis
 QUESTION 16

16. A shortage of sodium causes the adrenal gland

to secrete…
A. More adrenalin
B. Less adrenalin
C. More aldosterone
D. Less aldosterone
 QUESTION 17

17. An increase of sodium causes the adrenal gland

to secrete…
A. More adrenalin
B. Less adrenalin
C. More aldosterone
D. Less aldosterone
 QUESTION 18

18. When the blood temperature increase the blood

vessels in the skin
A. Dilates
B. Constricts
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A nor B
 QUESTION 19

19. When the blood temperature decrease the

blood vessels in the skin…
A. Dilates
B. Constricts
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A nor B
 QUESTION 20

20. Exposure to high temperatures for a long period

of times leads to…
A. Hyperthermia
B. Hypothermia
C. Osmoregulation
D. None of the above
SOLUTION:
1. A 11. A
2. A 12. B
3. D 13. A
4. C 14. C
5. B 15. C
6. C 16. C
7. C 17. D
8. A 18. A
9. B 19. B
10. C 20. A