The maintenance of homeostasis is of major importance to all organ systems in th
ID: 47659 • Letter: T
Question
The maintenance of homeostasis is of major importance to all organ systems in the body and the overall survival of the individual. Explain how homeostasis is the maintenance of a dynamic range of environmental qualities rather than holding the internal environment at a set point. What would be wrong with a set point (say for body temperature) rather than a working range of temperatures?
The endocrine system is closely tied to homeostasis functioning. Give two examples of hormones (including their glands of origin and action) that play major roles in homeostatic processes in the body. What happens if these hormones are disrupted in their actions?
Also, look at how we adapt to survival in the outside world. Discuss how maintaining homeostasis gives us greater freedom of activity from dependence upon changes in the external environment. What happens during extremes that force our bodies out of homeostatic bounds? Give specific examples.
Why is the maintenance of homeostasis especially important during development of new humans within the bodies of their mothers? What can go wrong if specific homeostatic functions are disrupted?
Explanation / Answer
Homeostasis is the maintenance of a dynamic range of environmental qualities rather than holding the internal environment at a set point . For example our body functions at a specific temperature range bui if our body would have a stable internal environment that the survival of people wouldn't have been possible if there was a specific external change in temperature. So the body maintains a dynamic range of environmental qualities i.e there is a body temperature point ( set point) and the internal temperature fluctuates above and below that point to maintain the overall equilibrium . So our body actually maintains a dynamic equilibrium of environmental qualities rather than holding the environment as a set point.
Homeostatic systems bring system into balance without depending on external environment. These systems respond to changes both in the internal and external environment. Since our body system performs functions in a range of environment (e.g body temperature) hence the maintenance of external and internal evironment is easily possible by homeostatic systems.
Two examples of hormones that play major roles in homeostatic processes in the body are :
(a) Insulin : It is secreted by beta cells of Islets of Langerhans in the Pancreas when the blood glucose level in our body increases . Insulin decreases the glucose level in our blood .
(b) To maintain the Calcium levels in our body the Parathyroid glands secrete Parathyroid hormone which gives a signal to the bone to release calcium in order to increase the calcium level in blood.
If these hormones are disrupted then the body is in danger of getting diseases e.g - If the blood glucose level is not maintained then there is a chance of getting Diabetes in which the blood glucose level increases which may lead to disfunctioning of organs and may ultimately lead to death.
Maintaining homeostasis gives us greater freedom of activity from dependence upon changes in external environment . If our body is able to maintain homeostasis then there is little risk of picking up diseases and hepls in proper functioning of our body system rather than depending on external changes . It is necessary to maintain a dynamic equilibrium between internal and external environments rather than depending upon external changes like increase in outside temperature etc.
During extremes our bodies are forced out of homeostatic bounds which leads to disruption of homeostatic balance and increases the risk of diseases . The different cells , tissues and organs may not function properly because they are not being provided what they need so the balance is disrupted. e.g If there is a decrease in outside temperature and our body is not able to increase it's own temperature through metabolism then the different organs will stop functioning which will ultimately lead to death.
Maintenance of homeostasis is especially important during development of new humans within the bodies of their mothers because if homeostasis is not maintained then there is a risk of improper growth of fetus. The endocrine glands of mother ensures that proper nutrients are passed to the fetus ( e.g Mother's milk contain certain proteins ehich are very necessary for growth of baby).
If specific homeostatic functions are disrupted then there is a chance that the fetus may be born with certain complications also there is a chance that the fetus may die due to lack of nutrients which are necessary for the growth of baby.
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