What are some mechanisms used to maintain homeostasis, and why can failure of th

Question

What are some mechanisms used to maintain homeostasis, and why can failure of these mechanisms result in pathologies? In your answer, you should at least include such terms as homeostasis, negative feedback, positive feedback, feedforward control, intracellular fluid, extracellular fluid, interstitial fluid, “set point,” the components of a negative feedback loop (stimulus, sensor, afferent signal, integrating center, efferent signal, target, response), redundancy, antagonistic control, sympathetic nervous system, parasympathetic nervous system, and pathology. Additionally, you should be able to describe a couple examples of pathologies which result from failure to maintain homeostasis.

Explanation / Answer

Homeostasis is the maintanence of equilibrium of internal environment of the organism. There are different mechanisms by which homeostasis is maintained and many organs are involved in this process. Homeostasis is maintained by maintaining body temperature, fluid balance, pH balance, blood pressure, urine formation at a previously set point. PH of extracellular fluid and concentration of ions like sodium, potassium, chlorine, calcium, magnesium in the intracellular fluid are some features of maintaining internal environment or homeostasis. There is negative feedback mechanism for the maintanence of body temperature. Temperature is sensed by thermoreceptor and by negative feedback loop, temperature is regulated by thermostat region in the brain. Sweating occurs to cool down the body. Renin angiotensin system are present for the fluid balance of the body. It acts in accordance to aldosterone to regulate urine formation and excretion. Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system also help in maintanence of homeostasis by controlling blood pressure and heart rate. PH and minerals are regulated by metabolic acidosis and alkalosis. Respiratory gases are regulated by respiratory acidosis and alkalosis. Hormone production is also regulated by negative feedback loop. Positive feedback loop form more product and in negative feedback loop product inhibit its formation. Interstitial fluid balance is maintained by osmoreceptor present in the brain hypothalamus. It causes electrolyte balance and fluid balance. Calcium ion balance is regulated by parathyroid hormone secreted by parathyroid glands. Skin and blood vessel work together in the maintanence of body temperature. Vasodilatation and vasoconstriction occur according to the need and as a result sweating occur.

In case of failure of the homeostasis mechanisms, many pathologies occur. For example, fever, electrolyte imbalance, fluid imbalance, renal failure, osteoporosis etc.

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