Post by Na9er on Oct 8, 2012 0:42:10 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300]Homeostasis[/glow]
It is important that the body’s internal environment is controlled. For example, the amount of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream must be carefully controlled.
Maintaining a constant internal environment is called homeostasis. The nervous system and hormones are responsible for this. Here are some of the other internal conditions that are controlled:
Blood sugar level
This is controlled to provide cells with a constant supply of energy. The blood sugar level is controlled by the release and storage of glucose, which is in turn controlled by a hormone called insulin.
Body temperature
This is controlled to maintain the temperature at which enzymes work best, which is 37°C. Body temperature is controlled by:
controlling blood flow to the skin
sweating
shivering
The body’s water content
This is controlled to protect cells by stopping too much water from entering or leaving them. The process is called osmoregulation.
It is important that the body’s internal environment is controlled. For example, the amount of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream must be carefully controlled.
Maintaining a constant internal environment is called homeostasis. The nervous system and hormones are responsible for this. Here are some of the other internal conditions that are controlled:
Blood sugar level
This is controlled to provide cells with a constant supply of energy. The blood sugar level is controlled by the release and storage of glucose, which is in turn controlled by a hormone called insulin.
Body temperature
This is controlled to maintain the temperature at which enzymes work best, which is 37°C. Body temperature is controlled by:
controlling blood flow to the skin
sweating
shivering
The body’s water content
This is controlled to protect cells by stopping too much water from entering or leaving them. The process is called osmoregulation.