Homeostasis
Keeping conditions inside the body steady, such as temperature and blood sugar.
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Analogy
A thermostat that switches heating on and off to hold a room at one temperature.
In practice
When you get hot, you sweat. When you get cold, you shiver.
Practice
Flashcards
- What is homeostasis?Keeping the internal conditions of the body steady.
Interview questions
- Describe how blood glucose is kept steady after a meal.
- Glucose rises after eating
- The pancreas releases insulin
- Insulin makes the liver store glucose as glycogen
- Blood glucose falls back to normal, which is negative feedback
Questions people ask
Why is it important to control body temperature?
Enzymes in the body work best at about 37 degrees Celsius. If the body gets much hotter, enzymes denature and reactions stop working properly. If it gets too cold, reactions slow down. The brain monitors blood temperature and triggers sweating, shivering and changes in blood flow to hold it steady.
What other things does the body keep steady?
Besides temperature, the body controls blood glucose, water content and ion levels. The kidneys adjust how much water is lost in urine, so you make less when you are dehydrated. Carbon dioxide level is also controlled, which is how the brain adjusts your breathing rate.