Homeostasis Stations Check-In

Match the following

• process that returns body to set point

• negative feedback

• maintaining a stable internal state

• set point

• the normal state

• positive feedback

• process that amplifies a signal

• homeostasis

Answer explanation

Homeostasis involves many processes in the body that monitors changes to set point (the normal state) and sends signals to return the body to set point.

Most of the time, the body uses negative feedback mechanisms to maintain homeostasis. A negative feedback loop typically looks like this:

1. A Change Happens: Something changes in your body, like your temperature going up. 

2. Your Body Responds: Your body sends a message to correct that change. 

3. The Change is Reversed: Your body does the opposite to bring you back to normal. 

Positive feedback is used when the body needs to move away from the set point very quickly. For example, during childbirth. A hormone called oxytocin is produced by the brain. Oxytocin causes contractions of the uterus. The contractions force the baby's head against the cervix. Nerves in the cervix send a signal to the brain to produce more oxytocin. The more pressure on the cervix, the more oxytocin is produced. The result of the signal amplifies the signal.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-3

If your body cannot return to set point, you can develop a​ (a)   or even ​ (b)   .

• disease
• die
• negative feedback
• positive feedback
• set point

Answer explanation

Consequences of Homeostatic Imbalance

• Disease:

  Diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease are often the result of a failure to maintain homeostasis. 

• Organ Damage:

  Sustained homeostatic imbalances can lead to damage to tissues and organs throughout the body. For instance, high blood sugar can damage blood vessels in the kidneys, potentially leading to kidney disease and failure. 

• Cellular Dysfunction:

  Enzymes and metabolic processes require specific internal conditions to function properly. When these conditions, such as temperature or pH, are outside the narrow ranges needed for optimal function, cellular processes are impaired. 

• Death:

  Ultimately, a complete failure to maintain homeostasis can lead to the death of an organism, as the critical internal conditions become incompatible with life. 

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-3

What two body systems are most involved with maintaining homeostasis?

• endocrine

• circulatory

• nervous

• muscular

Answer explanation

The nervous system and the endocrine system are the two primary body systems responsible for maintaining homeostasis, the body's ability to maintain stable internal conditions. The nervous system uses rapid, electrical and chemical signals (neurotransmitters) for quick responses, while the endocrine system uses slower, chemical signals (hormones) to regulate longer-term processes like metabolism and development. 

Nervous System's Role

• Rapid Control:

  The nervous system acts as the body's fast-response control system, detecting changes in the internal and external environment. 

• Information Relay:

  It transmits information through electrical signals and neurotransmitters from sensory cells to the brain and then to muscles and glands to produce a quick reaction. 

• Examples:

  Regulating body temperature through shivering or dilation/constriction of blood vessels is a function of the nervous system. 

Endocrine System's Role

• Slower Regulation:

  The endocrine system is responsible for slower, more sustained regulation of body functions through hormones. 

• Hormonal Communication:

  It releases hormones from glands into the bloodstream to target cells, controlling processes like metabolism, growth, and reproduction. 

• Examples:

  The pancreas releasing insulin to control blood sugar levels is a classic example of endocrine system function in maintaining homeostasis. 

How They Work Together

• Coordination: These two systems work in tandem to maintain the body's internal balance. 

• Communication: They both use intercellular communication to transmit information and trigger responses to stimuli, ensuring that the body's systems function in a coordinated manner to maintain stability. 

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-3

Match the following hormone with the correct feedback loop.

• high blood sugar

• AHD

• water balance

• glucagon

• low blood sugar

• insulin

Answer explanation

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-3

Negative feedback is all about getting the body back to set point.

• true

• false

Answer explanation

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-3

What is something about homeostasis that you are curious about or want to know more about?

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-3

NGSS.HS-LS1-1

What is something you liked/enjoyed about the stations activity?

What is something you didn't like or would change about the stations activity?

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-3

NGSS.MS-ETS1-4