Homeostasis

Question 1

Define homeostasis.

Answer 1

-the maintenance of a constant internal environment

Question 2

Examples of conditions in your body that need to be balanced….

Answer 2

• water content

- body temp

Question 3

How is water lost from the body?

Answer 3

• through the skin as sweat
• via the lungs in breath
• via the kidneys as urine

Question 4

How does your body maintain a constant internal temp?

Answer 4

• a part of the brain is sensitive to the blood temperature in the brain
• it recieves messages from temperature receptors in the skin that provide info about skin temp
• based on these signals, your central nervous system can activate the necessary effects to remain 37degrees celcius

Question 5

How does the skin play a role in maintaining body temp when ur too hot?

Answer 5

• lots of sweat is produced - when it evaporates it transfers energy from your skin to the environment, cooling you down
• blood vessels close to the surface of the skin widen=vasodilation, allows more blood to flow near the surface so it can transfer more energy into the environment
• hairs lie flat

Question 6

How does the skin play a role in maintaining body temp when ur too cold?

Answer 6

• very little sweat is produced
• blood vessels near surface of skin constrict = vasoconstriction, less blood flows near the surface=less energy lost
• you shiver, which increases your rate of respiration which transfers more energy to warm the body
• hairs stand out to trap an insulating layer of air which keeps you warm