Homeostasis: Feedback and Body
Homeostasis is a simple term which holds a large significance in the functionality of the human body. This essay will discuss and define this term. Explanation as to why homeostasis is important to be maintained and two examples of homeostasis relevant to its control mechanism will be stated in this essay as well.
The word homeostasis was first introduced by Walter B. Cannon, an American physiologist, to describe the body’s ability to maintain relative stability of its internal conditions even though there were constant changes in the surroundings outside. (Marieb & Hoehn, 2007). Thus, homeostasis is utterly defined as “the condition of equilibrium in the body’s internal environment due to the constant interaction of the body’s many regulatory processes”. (Tortora & Derrickson, 2009, p.8). Homeostasis has a dynamic state of balance, in which the body’s internal condition may vary, but only within a narrow range that is compatible with maintaining life. (Marieb & Hoehn, 2007). The important concept here is that the body is continuously monitoring its internal state and takes action to rectify disruptions that threaten its normal functions. (Silverthorn, 2001)
Humans are multicellular organism, which sits right at the top of the hierarchy of structural organization. The cell is the basic living unit of the body and each organ is a collective of many different cells held together by intercellular supporting structures. (Guyton & Hall, 2006). Each type of cells usually differs from one another in order to adapt and serve their functionality; but ironically all cells are comparatively similar in a particular way as they share certain basic characteristics. These similarities of theirs are fundamentally the reason why it is important to maintain homeostasis. An adult human body is 60% fluid. Although most of this fluid, called the intracellular fluid, is inside the cells, one third of it fills the narrow spaces outside the cells. That fluid is identified as
The word homeostasis was first introduced by Walter B. Cannon, an American physiologist, to describe the body’s ability to maintain relative stability of its internal conditions even though there were constant changes in the surroundings outside. (Marieb & Hoehn, 2007). Thus, homeostasis is utterly defined as “the condition of equilibrium in the body’s internal environment due to the constant interaction of the body’s many regulatory processes”. (Tortora & Derrickson, 2009, p.8). Homeostasis has a dynamic state of balance, in which the body’s internal condition may vary, but only within a narrow range that is compatible with maintaining life. (Marieb & Hoehn, 2007). The important concept here is that the body is continuously monitoring its internal state and takes action to rectify disruptions that threaten its normal functions. (Silverthorn, 2001)
Humans are multicellular organism, which sits right at the top of the hierarchy of structural organization. The cell is the basic living unit of the body and each organ is a collective of many different cells held together by intercellular supporting structures. (Guyton & Hall, 2006). Each type of cells usually differs from one another in order to adapt and serve their functionality; but ironically all cells are comparatively similar in a particular way as they share certain basic characteristics. These similarities of theirs are fundamentally the reason why it is important to maintain homeostasis. An adult human body is 60% fluid. Although most of this fluid, called the intracellular fluid, is inside the cells, one third of it fills the narrow spaces outside the cells. That fluid is identified as
Bibliography: Guyton, A. C., & Hall, J. E. (2006). Textbook Of Medical Physiology. Pennsylvania: Elsevier Saunders. Marieb, E. N., & Hoehn, K. (2007). Human Anatomy & Physiology. San Francisco: Pearson Benjamin Cummings. Silverthorn, D. U. (2001). Human Physiology: an integrated approach. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall. Tortora, G. J., & Derrickson, B. (2009). Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. USA: John Wiley & Sons Inc. Homeostasis. (n.d.). In Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved January 27, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeostasis DeRosnay, J. (1997, February 17). Homeostasis: resistance to change. Retrieved January 27, 2010, from Principia Cybertica Web: http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/homeosta.html