Overview of Homeostasis
Key :
1. Set Points: Target values for physiological variables, such as body temperature, blood
pH, and glucose levels.
2. Feedback Mechanisms:
○ Negative Feedback:
○ Positive Feedback:
Why is negative feedback as the main regulatory mechanism in the body?
● Negative feedback restores stability; positive feedback amplifies changes, causing
potential instability.
●
●
Comparison of Negative Feedback and Positive Feedback
Feature Negative Feedback Positive Feedback
Definition A mechanism that A mechanism that
Goal To restore balance and To drive processes to completion or
achieve a specific outcome.
Examples in - Thermoregulation (e.g., sweating - Childbirth (release of oxytocin during
Biology to cool down or shivering to labor increases uterine contractions).
generate heat).
How It - Detects changes and triggers
Works responses that amplify or enhance the
initial change.
- Typically involves an escalating
- Typically involves stabilizing response.
mechanisms.
Effect on Pushes the system to a new state,
System often temporarily.
Duration Temporary, active until a specific goal
or endpoint is achieved.
3. Components of Control Systems:
.
Comparison of Homeostasis in Animals and Plants
Examples of Homeostasis in Animals
● Temperature Regulation: Sweating, shivering, and vasodilation/constriction.
● Osmoregulation: Role of kidneys, ultrafiltration, selective reabsorption, and ADH.
● Blood Glucose Regulation: Action of insulin and glucagon, glycogenesis, and
glycogenolysis.
Examples of Homeostasis in Plants
● Stomatal control to regulate water loss.
● Hormonal control of growth (e.g., auxins in phototropism).
Aspect Animals Plants
Purpose
Key Systems
Response
Speed
Advance:
Feature Homeostasis in Animals Homeostasis in Plants
Purpose Regulate internal conditions to
adapt to environmental changes
(e.g., water loss, growth, and ion
balance).
Key Systems Nervous and endocrine Hormonal signaling (e.g., auxins,
Involved gibberellins) and structural
adaptations like stomata and root
hairs.
Examples
Mechanisms Uses feedback loops Relies on hormone signaling,
of Regulation guard cells, and passive/active
transport mechanisms.
Specific Specialized organs (e.g., Guard cells regulate stomatal
Structures kidneys, pancreas, and liver) openings, and roots help
regulate physiological
processes. absorb water and nutrients.
Response Often rapid due to
Speed nervous system involvement
(e.g., withdrawal reflex or
immediate sweating).
Adaptation to
Environment
Water Controlled by kidneys through
Balance osmoregulation and hormones
Regulation like ADH.
Energy Glucose and ATP Photosynthesis
Regulation
Questions:
1.Why is homeostasis important for living organisms?
2.What are some examples of factors regulated by homeostasis?
Some examples of factors regulated by homeostasis include:
3.Which of the following best describes the term "homeostasis"?
A) The process by which organisms respond to external stimuli.
B) The maintenance of stable internal conditions in the body.
C) The production of energy from food molecules.
D) The process of digestion and absorption of nutrients.
4.Which of the following is an example of negative feedback?
A) The release of oxytocin during childbirth to increase contractions.
B) The secretion of adrenaline in response to stress.
C) The regulation of blood glucose levels by insulin.
D) The increase in body temperature during exercise.
5.What type of feedback mechanism is involved in the process of blood clotting?
A) Negative feedback
B) Positive feedback
C) Homeostasis
D) Hormonal regulation
6.Which of the following is not directly regulated by homeostasis?
A) Body temperature
B) Blood pressure
C) Heart rate
D) Amount of food consumed
7.During hot conditions, the body maintains homeostasis by:
A) Increasing sweat production and dilating blood vessels near the skin surface.
B) Increasing shivering and constricting blood vessels.
C) Decreasing blood flow to the skin.
D) Decreasing respiration rate to conserve energy.
8. The movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane from a region of lower solute
concentration to a region of higher solute concentration is called __________.
9.Fill in the table below
Process Feedback Type (+/-) Function
Blood glucose regulation Helps maintain stable blood glucose
levels
Childbirth (oxytocin Stimulates contractions to help with
release) delivery
Body temperature Initiates cooling or warming responses
regulation based on temperature
Blood clotting process Facilitates the rapid formation of a blood
clot
10.Which of the following is the primary function of the sodium-potassium pump in cells?
A) To regulate the pH of the cytoplasm
B) To maintain a high concentration of sodium ions inside the cell
C) To maintain the electrochemical gradient across the cell membrane
D) To store energy for cellular processes
11.Which organelle is responsible for regulating the internal conditions of the cell and
maintaining homeostasis within the cell?
A) Nucleus
B) Mitochondrion
C) Plasma membrane
D) Ribosome
12.What is the main difference between negative and positive feedback mechanisms in
homeostasis?
13.Why is maintaining a stable internal environment important for enzyme function?
14.How do kidneys contribute to homeostasis in the body?
