Lesson 7.

4 Homeostasis

Animal Survival

Jayson C. Porras
Teacher
Objective

At the end of the lesson, you should be able

• to explain how the human body maintains homeostasis.

How does the human body maintain homeostasis?
Homeostasis
• Homeostasis comes from the two Greek words homeo
meaning similar and stasis meaning stable. It is the ability
of the body to maintain a constant internal equilibrium. It
keeps the body functioning well even when there are
changes in the environment. Examples of homeostasis
include the regulation of body temperature, blood sugar
level, and blood urea level. Although homeostasis
maintains a constant internal balance, it is not a static
state. It is a dynamic state or continuously changing. Take
the body temperature as an example.
• Humans generate internal body heat and maintain an
average temperature of about 37˚C. However, the body
temperature still varies all throughout the day. During
daytime, especially when doing physical activities, the
body temperature rises. At nighttime, the temperature
slightly falls during sleep.Homeostasis is achieved
through automatic mechanisms. These mechanisms have
at least three interdependent components. The
components are the receptor, control center, and effector.
• The receptor is a sensing component that monitors
changes in the external or internal environment. For
example, peripheral chemoreceptors detect changes in
the pH of the blood.
• The control center receives messages from the receptors
and initiates the response to maintain homeostasis. The
brain is the control center of the human body. The brain
responds by sending signals in the form of nerve
impulses to other organs (effectors) to bring about
changes needed to maintain homeostasis. For example,
hypothalamus is ta part of the brain that receives signals
when there are changes in the blood pressure and heart
rate.
• The effector is an organ or tissue that receives the
messages from the control center and brings about
changes needed to maintain homeostasis. For example,
the organs of the endocrine system act as effectors
that release hormones into the blood to correct any
disruptions.
Types of Feedback Mechanism
• Homeostasis is maintained through feedback
mechanisms, which are series of events in which the
condition of the body is strictly and constantly monitored,
evaluated, and changed.
• Negative feedback mechanism occurs when the
change in the body, caused by stimuli, reverses as a
response of a particular effector. An example is the
control of the blood sugar by the hormones insulin and
glucagon which are both secreted by the pancreas.
• Insulin is secreted when the blood sugar level is high
while glucagon is secreted when the blood sugar is low.
When the blood sugar increases, the hypothalamus
sends signals to the pancreas to secrete insulin into the
bloodstream and lower the blood sugar level. When the
blood sugar level reaches equilibrium, the pancreas stops
the release of insulin. On the other hand, when the blood
sugar level is low, the hypothalamus sends signals to the
pancreas to secrete glucagon and increase the blood
sugar level.
• Positive feedback mechanism occurs when the changes
are strengthened by the response of the effector. It occurs
when the changes enhance the effect of the stimulus. For
example, the pituitary gland secretes oxytocin during
childbirth as a positive feedback mechanism. Oxytocin
intensifies and speeds up the contraction in the mother’s
womb. Increase in contractions hastens the delivery of
the baby.
• After giving birth, the production of oxytocin stops.
Another example of a positive feedback is lactation, which
is the production of milk in the mammary glands. The
suckling action of the baby triggers the pituitary glands to
produce prolactin, which stimulates milk production. More
suckling leads to an increase in prolactin, which in turn
leads to more lactation.
Explore!

• Observe the changes in your skin during a hot, sunny day.

Sweating is a natural response of the body to maintain the
body temperature, not lower or higher than normal body
temperature which is 37˚C. If you are in a cold
environment, how does your body maintain 37˚C?
Try it!

• Try to run four laps. What do you notice? What was your
body's response after taking those laps? What is the
connection of this exercise to homeostasis?
What do you think?

• What will happen if humans do not have the ability to

maintain internal equilibrium or regulate body
temperature?
Key Points

• Homeostasis is the ability of the body to maintain internal

equilibrium in response to changes in the environment.
Examples of homeostasis include:
• the regulation of body temperature;
• the regulation of water balance in the blood;
• the regulation of blood sugar level; and
• the regulation of blood urea level.
• The feedback system is a series of events in which the
condition of the body is strictly and constantly monitored,
evaluated and changed. Negative feedback mechanism
occurs when the change in the body, caused by stimuli,
reverses as a response of a particular effector.Positive
feedback mechanism occurs when the changes are
strengthened by the response of the effector.
Test Questions

1. Which of the following is the ability of the body to

maintain its internal equilibrium as a response to changes in
the environment?

A. regulation
B. feedback system
C. homeostasis
D. stimulus
2. Which of the following are examples of homeostasis?

I. blood sugar level control

II. blinking of eyes
III. body temperature regulation
IV. knee jerking

A. I and II B. II and III C. I and III D. III and IV

3. What is the role of the endocrine system in homeostasis?

A. Endocrine system sends information to the brain.

B. Endocrine system secretes hormones into the blood to
correct changes in the control condition.
C. Endocrine system receives hormones from the blood to
correct itself.
D. Endocrine system releases enzymes to speed up the
reaction of the stimulus.
4. Which of the following is NOT true about homeostasis?

A. Homeostasis is considered as a dynamic state.

B. Homeostasis orchestrates the regulation of body
temperature and blood urea level.
C. Homeostasis maintains the internal condition of the body.
D. Homeostasis ensures one's survival in all conditions in
the outside environment. ,
5. Which of the following are true about the mechanisms of
homeostasis?
I. The components of the feedback mechanism are the control
center, the effectors, and the receptors.
II. Internal factors such as blood sugar level is regulated by a
specific mechanism.
III. Homeostasis is maintained through feedback mechanisms.
IV. The feedback mechanism is a series of events in which the
body is monitored and changed.

A. I and II only B. II and III only

C. I, II and III D. All of the above
6. Jane has been diagnosed with diabetes. She diligently follows
her prescribed treatment plan, which includes medication and a
balanced diet. One day, she forgets to take her medication, and
later that day she consumes a high-carbohydrate meal. After
some time, she starts feeling lightheaded and weak. What is
most likely occurring in Jane's blood sugar level?
A. There are no changes in her normal blood sugar level.
B. Her blood sugar level decreases because her body resists
insulin.
C. Her blood sugar increases only for a moment and reverts back
to its normal level.
D. Her blood sugar level rises because the body cannot maintain
its normal level due to resistance to or lack of insulin.
7. Which of the following are examples of a positive
feedback mechanism?

I. release of prolactin during lactation

II. regulation of the body temperature
III. release of oxytocin during childbirth
IV. release of insulin in the blood to maintain sugar level

A. I and II B. II and IV
C. I and III D. III and IV
Nina is preparing dinner for her family. She accidentally cuts
her finger, and droplets of blood come out. After a few
minutes, the bleeding stops because when her blood vessels
are damaged, the platelets adhered to the injured area.
These platelets release chemicals that cause more platelets
to adhere to that area until a clot is formed.
8. Which of the following best describes this scenario?
I. The platelets served as the effector as they adhere to the
injured area, forming a clot.
II. The platelets served as the stimuli as they adhere to the
injured area, forming a clot.
III. Blood clotting depicts a positive feedback mechanism.
IV. Blood clotting depicts a negative feedback mechanism.

A. I only B. II only
C. I and III D. II and IV
9. Why is the nervous system important in homeostasis?
I. The nervous system receives messages from numerous
sensors that monitor the different controlled conditions.
II. The nervous system sends messages from numerous
sensors that monitor the different controlled conditions.
III. The nervous system responds in the form of nerve
impulses to other organs involved in the changes.
IV. The nervous system does not have any connection with
homeostasis.

A. I and II B. II and IV
C. III and IV D. I and III
10. What is the importance of homeostasis in the body?
I. Homeostasis is the ability of the body to maintain internal condition’s
equilibrium in response to changes in the environment. Without this ability,
no human being will be able to adapt to changing environment.
II. Homeostasis is the ability of the body to adapt to certain changes in the
environment. And this adaptation makes us capable of acclimating to
certain places with different types of climate.
III. Homeostasis is the ability to adapt not only to changes in the outside
environment but also inside our bodies. Without this, the body would not
be able to function well.
IV. Homeostasis makes us perfectly ready for any change inside our
bodies even in the outside environment.

A. I and II B. II and IV
C. I, II and III D. II and III