Homeostasis

Homeostasis is the physiological control process by which the internal conditions of living organisms are maintained at equilibrium. Homeostasis is derived from the Greek words ‘homeo’ (which means ‘similar to’), and ‘stasis’ (which means standing still, or steady).

Get started Sign up for free
Homeostasis Homeostasis

Create learning materials about Homeostasis with our free learning app!

  • Instand access to millions of learning materials
  • Flashcards, notes, mock-exams and more
  • Everything you need to ace your exams
Create a free account

Millions of flashcards designed to help you ace your studies

Sign up for free

Convert documents into flashcards for free with AI!

Table of contents

    In reality, the internal conditions within the human body are never exactly static. Instead, they are always striving to reach the optimal equilibrium state. In other words, homeostasis is a state of dynamic equilibrium characterised by different responses to changes within the external and internal environments. These changes can be inside or outside the cell, tissue, organ, or organism.

    The significance of homeostasis

    Homeostasis is essential for the functioning and survival of organisms. Homeostasis is important for maintaining proteins' structures, water potential in the body, and successfully adapting the body's temperature to changing external conditions.

    Maintaining the protein’s structure

    Proteins are abundant macromolecules that are essential for cells to function effectively. However, proteins are very sensitive to changes in pH and temperature. Any change in these factors causes the proteins to denature and lose their native structure. When the native structure of a protein is lost, it will likely become inefficient or obsolete in its function.

    Enzymes are proteins that speed up biological reactions. The enzyme’s structure is very important for its function. Enzymes have an active site that is complementary in structure to their substrate and allows the binding of the two molecules. Even a small change in pH or temperature alters the structure of the active site and can impair the enzyme's efficacy.

    Denatured proteins are less soluble and are more likely to form insoluble aggregates. These aggregates can build up inside or outside of the cell and cause complications. For example, irreversable cell death.

    Maintaining the water potential

    Water potential is important for both plant and animal cells. As we know, water always moves from a system of high water potential to a system of low water potential.

    In plants, the cells have a cellulose cell wall protecting them. Hence, the cells only become turgid when water diffuses in, and shrivel as water leaves them (Figure 1).

    Homeostasis plant cells in hypertonic isotonic and hypotonic solutions StudySmarterFig. 1 - Plant cells in hypertonic, isotonic, and hypotonic solutions

    In contrast, animal cells have no cell wall, so there is a risk of cellular damage when too much water diffuses in or out (Figure 2). Maintaining blood glucose levels at a dynamic equilibrium is essential to ensure a constant water potential for the cells. It also ensures that the cells receive a sufficient amount of glucose to use for respiration.

    Plasmolysis and deplasmolysis is irreversible in animal cells, while plasmolysis in plant cells is reversible.

    Homeostasis red blood cells in hypertonic isotonic and hypotonic solutions StudySmarterFig. 2 - Red blood cells in hypertonic, isotonic, and hypotonic solutions

    Adapting to a wider geographical range

    The ability to maintain the body’s internal temperature at a constant level allows animals to be more independent of their external environment. Therefore, they will be able to survive in a wider variety of geographical ranges and in different climates. This feature has allowed mammals to inhabit most habitats, ranging from hot deserts to freezing polar regions.

    Homeostasis’ control mechanisms

    In order for any homeostatic mechanism to work effectively, five components are necessary (Figure 3):

    1. An optimum point: the optimal condition where the system operates best.
    2. A sensor: the receptor or group of receptors that would sense any changes or deviations from the desired value.
    3. A coordinator: the control centre retains the value for the optimum point and has a way of comparing the current value, provided by the sensor, with the desired one.
    4. An effector: the effector organ, often a muscle or a secretory gland, that has the ability to change the value of the variable to the value determined by the coordinator.
    5. A feedback mechanism: the mechanism by which the receptor responds to the change in the variable, as it retunes to the optimum point due to the action of the effector. There are two types of feedback mechanisms; negative and positive.

    Homeostasis In a negative feedback loop a stimulus a deviation from a set point is resisted through a physiological process that returns the body to homeostasis negative loop has four basic parts body temperature is regulated by negative feedback StudySmarterFig. 3 - Negative feedback loop and body temperature regulation in the body to return to homeostasis

    Negative feedback mechanisms

    Negative feedback is the most common type of feedback in living organisms. In negative feedback, the receptor detects the need for the re-establishment of the optimum point. It conveys the signal to the control centre which then turns off the effector.

    Thermoregulation

    An example of negative feedback is how body temperature is regulated in endotherms like mammals. They need to maintain their body temperature at a relatively constant level, despite fluctuations in the temperature of their environment.

    The optimum temperature in the human body ranges between 36°C and 38°C. There are two different sensors in humans that detect changes in temperature:

    1. Sensory cells in the skin detect external temperature changes.
    2. Sensory cells in the hypothalamus that detect internal temperature changes.

    These sensors are connected to the hypothalamus, which is the control centre for body temperature. When sensory cells detect a slight deviation of the body temperature from its optimum value, they send signals to the hypothalamus which then activates various mechanisms to restore the core body temperature. These mechanisms include:

    In response to cold external environments:

    1. Vasoconstriction of the arterioles near the skin. The arterioles ‘shrink’, reducing the diameter of the blood vessel and the amount of blood that circulates near the skin. As there is less heat loss to the environment, body heat is preserved.
    2. Shivering of skeletal muscles. This produces metabolic heat, i.e., heat that is generated from ATP production.
    3. Activation of hair erector muscles. This is the raising of hair on your skin, which creates an insulating layer of air and helps preserve body heat.
    4. Increased metabolism and burning of fat. This helps generate more metabolic heat to raise the core body temperature.
    5. Humans and animals also utilise behavioural mechanisms to avoid heat loss. These mechanisms include finding shelter, huddling together, or hugging their knees, which helps reduce heat loss by reducing the volume to surface ratio.

    In response to hot external environments

    1. Vasodilatation of the surface arterioles. This increases blood flow to the skin allowing more heat to be exchanged with the environment.
    2. Increased secretion of sweat. This allows the body to lose heat as more water evaporates from the skin.
    3. Relaxation of hair erector muscles. This lowers the hair on the skin. As a result, the insulating layer is removed allowing the skin to lose more heat.
    4. Behavioural adaptations, such as avoiding the sun, staying in the shade, or jumping into the water!

    Calcium regulation

    Blood calcium levels are also regulated by a negative feedback mechanism which requires the action of the different hormones. One important hormone involved is the parathyroid hormone (PTH). This hormone is released from the parathyroid gland in response to low blood calcium levels.

    PTH increases blood calcium levels by:

    • Increasing bone resorption in the bones.
    • Increasing calcium absorption in the intestine.
    • Decreasing calcium excretion in the kidneys.

    Osmoregulation

    Another example of negative feedback is osmoregulation. ADH (antidiuretic hormone) is secreted in response to dehydration. ADH acts on kidneys and stimulates the retention of water. However, as the body hydrates, ADH release is inhibited (Figure 3).

    Homeostasis, Regulation of body water levels by negative feedback driven by the antidiuretic hormone (ADH), StudySmarterFig. 4 - Regulation of body water levels by negative feedback driven by the antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

    Positive feedback

    Positive feedback is quite rare in biological systems. It involves causing an even further deviation from the optimum point after a small deviation is detected. One example of positive feedback is during childbirth. Uterine contraction stimulates the release of oxytocin which then stimulates more contractions. Therefore, this results in an increase in both intensity and frequency of contractions during labour (Figure 5).

    Homeostasis positive feedback during childbirth Fergusson reflex StudySmarterFig. 5 - Positive feedback during childbirth

    Homeostasis - Key takeaways

    • Homeostasis is a state of dynamic equilibrium characterised by different responses to changes within the external and internal environments. It is comprised of many processes trying to maintain the internal conditions of the body despite changes in the external environment.
    • Homeostasis is important for various reasons. these include maintaining the blood water potential, preventing proteins denaturation, and increasing the chance of survival in a wider geographical range of habitats.
    • Homeostatic mechanisms need to have five necessary components. These include:
      1. An optimum point
      2. A sensor
      3. A coordinator or control centre
      4. An effector
      5. A feedback mechanism
    • There are two types of feedback: Negative and positive.
    • The negative feedback is the main feedback mechanism in homeostatic processes. It involves returning the condition back to the optimum point.
    Frequently Asked Questions about Homeostasis

    What is homeostasis?

    It is a state of dynamic equilibrium characterised by different responses to changes within the external and internal environments.

    How does the body maintain homeostasis?

    By control mechanisms that need an optimum point, a sensor, a coordinator, an effector, and a feedback loop.

    What are three examples of homeostasis?

    Osmoregulation, thermoregulation, and regulation of blood calcium levels.

    Why is homeostasis important?

    It maintains optimal conditions for enzymes to work efficiently throughout the body, as well as all cell functions.

    What effect does negative feedback have on homeostasis?

    It acts to stop the stimulus or cue that triggered it after the optimum point is re-established.

    What are examples of negative feedback in homeostasis?

    Osmoregulation, thermoregulation, regulation of blood calcium levels.  

    When does negative feedback stop in homeostasis?

    When the condition returns to normal, and the optimum point is re-established.

    Test your knowledge with multiple choice flashcards

    Homeostasis only responds to changes in the internal environments.

    Plasmolysis and deplasmolysis are reversible in animals. 

    Water moves from an area of high water potential to an area of low water potential. 

    Next

    Discover learning materials with the free StudySmarter app

    Sign up for free
    1
    About StudySmarter

    StudySmarter is a globally recognized educational technology company, offering a holistic learning platform designed for students of all ages and educational levels. Our platform provides learning support for a wide range of subjects, including STEM, Social Sciences, and Languages and also helps students to successfully master various tests and exams worldwide, such as GCSE, A Level, SAT, ACT, Abitur, and more. We offer an extensive library of learning materials, including interactive flashcards, comprehensive textbook solutions, and detailed explanations. The cutting-edge technology and tools we provide help students create their own learning materials. StudySmarter’s content is not only expert-verified but also regularly updated to ensure accuracy and relevance.

    Learn more
    StudySmarter Editorial Team

    Team Biology Teachers

    • 8 minutes reading time
    • Checked by StudySmarter Editorial Team
    Save Explanation Save Explanation

    Study anywhere. Anytime.Across all devices.

    Sign-up for free

    Sign up to highlight and take notes. It’s 100% free.

    Join over 22 million students in learning with our StudySmarter App

    The first learning app that truly has everything you need to ace your exams in one place

    • Flashcards & Quizzes
    • AI Study Assistant
    • Study Planner
    • Mock-Exams
    • Smart Note-Taking
    Join over 22 million students in learning with our StudySmarter App
    Sign up with Email

    Get unlimited access with a free StudySmarter account.

    • Instant access to millions of learning materials.
    • Flashcards, notes, mock-exams, AI tools and more.
    • Everything you need to ace your exams.
    Second Popup Banner