1.
Basic Concepts
1. What is homeostasis?
a) A static, unchanging state of the body
b) A dynamic equilibrium maintaining stable internal conditions
c) The breakdown of metabolic processes
d) The external environment’s influence on cells
2. Which of the following best describes the "internal environment"?
a) The air we breathe
b) Extracellular fluid (ECF) surrounding cells
c) Only the blood plasma
d) The cytoplasm inside cells
3. What percentage of total body water is intracellular fluid (ICF)?
a) 33%
b) 50%
c) 67%
d) 80%
2. Components of Homeosta c Control
4. Which component detects changes in a controlled condition?
a) Effector
b) Receptor
c) Integrating center
d) Feedback loop
5. The hypothalamus acts as an integrating center in which homeostatic process?
a) Blood clotting
b) Temperature regulation
c) Milk ejection
d) Ovulation
6. What is the role of effectors in homeostasis?
a) To sense external stimuli
b) To compare signals to a set point
c) To execute corrective responses
d) To amplify deviations from the set point
3. Feedback Mechanisms
7. Negative feedback mechanisms:
a) Reinforce deviations from the set point
b) Reverse changes to restore balance
c) Are rare in physiological systems
d) Only operate in the nervous system
8. Which is an example of negative feedback?
a) Blood clotting
b) Childbirth contractions
c) Regulation of blood glucose
d) Lactation
9. Positive feedback differs from negative feedback because it:
a) Maintains stability
b) Amplifies the initial stimulus
c) Is controlled by the endocrine system only
d) Prevents extreme changes
4. Examples of Homeostasis
10. When body temperature rises, which effector helps cool the body?
a) Skeletal muscles (shivering)
b) Sweat glands (increased secretion)
c) Blood vessels (constriction)
d) Adipose tissue (insulation)
11. How does antidiuretic hormone (ADH) contribute to water balance?
a) Increases urine output
b) Stimulates thirst
c) Promotes water retention by kidneys
d) Dilates blood vessels
12. Which scenario describes positive feedback?
a) Insulin lowering blood sugar
b) Oxytocin increasing uterine contractions during childbirth
c) Baroreceptors reducing high blood pressure
d) Thermoregulation in cold environments
5. Clinical and Adap ve Aspects
13. Homeostatic imbalance can lead to:
a) Improved cellular function
b) Disease or illness
c) Enhanced adaptation
d) Genetic mutations
14. Acclimatization refers to:
a) A genetic mutation for extreme environments
b) Short-term behavioral adjustments
c) Physiological adaptation to environmental changes
d) The breakdown of feedback loops
15. Why is positive feedback considered a "vicious cycle"?
a) It always leads to death
b) It disrupts homeostasis by amplifying deviations
c) It is slower than negative feedback
d) It only occurs in pathological conditions
Questions from the Lecture on Homeostasis
Basic Concepts
1. What is homeostasis, and why is it a vital concept in human physiology?
2. Define the "internal environment" of the body. What fluids compose it?
3. How does the extracellular fluid (ECF) differ from the intracellular fluid (ICF) in terms of
location and function?
Components and Mechanisms
4. List and describe the four key components of a homeostatic control system.
5. How do receptors, integrating centers, and effectors work together to maintain
homeostasis?
6. Compare intrinsic (autoregulation) and extrinsic control systems. Provide examples of
each.
Feedback Systems
7. Explain the difference between negative and positive feedback mechanisms. Why is
negative feedback more common in the body?
8. Describe how negative feedback regulates body temperature. Include the roles of
thermoreceptors, the hypothalamus, and effectors.
9. Give an example of a positive feedback loop in the body. Why is this process typically
rare and potentially harmful?
Examples and Applications
10. How does the body maintain water balance through negative feedback? Mention the
roles of osmoreceptors, ADH, and the kidneys.
11. Using blood pressure regulation as an example, outline the steps of a negative feedback
loop.
12. How does the positive feedback mechanism accelerate blood clotting or childbirth?
Clinical and Adaptive Aspects
13. What happens when homeostatic mechanisms fail? Provide examples of homeostatic
imbalance.
14. How do biological rhythms (e.g., circadian rhythms) relate to homeostasis?
15. Can humans adapt to extreme environments (e.g., cold climates)? Discuss the role of
acclimatization.
Critical Thinking
16. Why might positive feedback be beneficial in processes like lactation or childbirth
despite its potential risks?
17. If a person’s baroreceptors were damaged, how might their blood pressure control be
affected?
18. How does the lecture’s analogy of a car’s cruise control system explain negative
feedback in homeostasis?
Review Questions from the Slides
19. Is thirst part of a negative or positive feedback system? Justify your answer.
20. The Inuit can work in cold environments without gloves. Does this imply a genetic
adaptation? Discuss.
These questions cover key themes from the lecture, including definitions, mechanisms,
examples, and clinical implications of homeostasis.
Answer Key for the MCQs
1. b
2. b
3. c
4. b
5. b
6. c
7. b
8. c
9. b
10. b
11. c
12. b
13. b
14. c
15. b
