Maintenance of a Dynamic Range of Environmental Qualities rather than Holding the Internal Environment at a Set Point of Homeostasis
Homeostasis refers to a steady state of functioning within the body as well as the body’s inclination to keep its conditions and environment generally stable. This procedure is very important; the body depends on it to function properly. It maintains a stable temperature and fluid balance throughout the body, allowing the cells to function as they should under any given set of circumstances. Homeostasis refers to the state in which a dynamic range of environmental attributes is kept stable in the following ways: Both the temperature and the total amount of fluid continually shift within the interior condition due to the many variables (DeWitt & Patisaul, 2018). Fluid levels are not fixed within the body; rather, they are dynamic and respond to changes in the amount of water consumed by an individual. A person’s fluid levels might go up or down depending on how much water they consume. Inner temperatures constantly change yet always stay within a certain range (Phelan, 2021). Rarely does the body’s temperature remain constant or at a certain level. In this manner, homeostasis can preserve a dynamic spectrum of environmental attributes.
The effects of various exercises can be seen in the fluctuation of both the temperature and the amount of water in the body. For instance, going for a run first thing in the morning will unquestionably cause one’s core temperature to shift. After going for a run, a person may feel warmer, and as a result, their core body temperature will be higher DeWitt & Patisaul, 2018). Concurrently, a person may sweat, which will cause their body’s water level to drop. Both water levels and temperature are not maintained at a constant level within the body.
The Problem with a Set Point rather than a Working Range of Temperatures
Using a set point as a guideline is inappropriate because the human body is never in a steady condition but is always evolving (Billman, 2020). The human body can react to both internal and exterior stimuli. Because of this reaction, the temperature of the body, as well as several other parameters in the body, alter. As a result of the fact that the body is always going through various changes, people are unable to acknowledge that it operates inside a fixed point. Rather, there is a range of values that is maintained continuously (Billman, 2020). When a person wakes up in the morning and showers, their body temperature changes within a certain range between when they awaken and exit the shower. This range is determined by the time they spend in the shower. In most cases, the body’s temperature will not increase, but in a few instances, it.
Effects of Disruption of the Hormones
The two types of hormones that were selected are hormones that are water-soluble and lipid-soluble. For example, water-soluble hormones cannot cross the phospholipid bilayer that constitutes the plasma membrane; nonetheless, they are still capable of causing cellular changes even without penetrating the cells they are meant to affect. Initially, a water-soluble hormone will bind to a particular receptor protein in the target cell’s plasma membrane (Serova et al., 2020). A signal transduction route is a set of modifications to molecules that translates a chemical message from outside the cell into a specific reaction inside the cell.
The hormone binding to the receptor activates the receptor protein, which initiates the pathway. The last relay molecule triggers the activity of a protein that either regulates gene expression in the nucleus or carries out a response in the cytoplasm (such as activating an enzyme, for example) (such as turning on or off genes). Erythropoietin, often known as EPO, is a water-soluble hormone that controls the synthesis of red blood cells (Serova et al., 2020). This process is analogous to an email chain, in which a message containing an instruction is transferred from one water-soluble hormone to another. Some athletes abuse EPO to boost their stamina.
On the other hand, Lipid-soluble hormones can traverse the phospholipid bilayer and initiate reactions by binding to receptors within the target cell. This is how natural steroid hormones, like sex hormones (testosterone and estrogen) and manufactured anabolic steroids, work. Steroid hormones can be classified as either natural or artificial. A lipid-soluble hormone can reach a cell across the plasma membrane using diffusion (Serova et al., 2020). The hormone will only attach to a receptor protein in the cytoplasm or the cell’s nucleus if it is a target cell. Instead of setting off a chain reaction in a signal transduction pathway, the hormone’s signal is carried by the receptor itself. Within the cell’s nucleus, the hormone-receptor complex will affix itself to particular places on the cell’s DNA. The interaction with DNA either activates or silences particular genes.
Homeostasis Freedom of Activity from Dependence upon Changes in the External Environment
An entity can gain a great deal of independence from the influence of the surrounding environment by achieving homeostasis. For example, reptiles are categorized as cold-blooded animals. They are unable to digest their food without the warmth of the sun. In any case, the reptiles won’t be able to become used to the weather if there isn’t enough warmth or if there are harsh winters, and as a result, they’ll perish before they can adapt. Warm-blooded animals, such as mammals, can regulate their body temperature in response to changing environmental conditions (Liang, 2019). The winters will less impact warm-blooded organisms since their bodies will speed up their metabolism in response to the freezing temperatures to raise their internal body temperature. Simply relying on homeostasis makes this a realistic possibility. This homeostatic balance is disrupted when cells malfunction. Disease and cellular discord may result from a disruption in homeostasis. Extreme toxicity results from an overabundance of a toxin that poisons the cell. Diabetes is a disease caused by an imbalance in the body’s homeostasis.
Importance of Maintaining Homeostasis during the Development of New Humans within the Bodies of their Mothers
Pregnant women, in particular, have a higher need for homeostasis maintenance. Only the mother can give her growing child the necessary nutrients and blood. Because of homeostasis, blood levels and nutrients can be equalized and exchanged between the mother and infant. If the mother’s body is out of balance, the baby may not get enough of certain nutrients, which may result in death. Things can get out of whack if destructive encouraging feedback overwhelms negative input systems (Liang, 2019). When the body’s homeostatic balance is off, the immune system can’t do its job, and diseases can easily spread. When the body’s systems are thrown off, the victim may feel weak and listless, develop a high temperature, and even die if prompt medical attention is not provided. Dehydration, heart failure, and high blood pressure can arise from malfunctioning homeostatic processes.
References
Billman, G. E. (2020). Homeostasis: the underappreciated and far too often ignored central organizing principle of physiology. Frontiers in physiology, 11, 200.
DeWitt, J. C., & Patisaul, H. B. (2018). Endocrine disruptors and the developing immune system. Current Opinion in Toxicology, 10, 31-36.
Liang, S. J., Li, X. G., & Wang, X. Q. (2019). Notch signaling in mammalian intestinal stem cells: determining cell fate and maintaining homeostasis. Current stem cell research & therapy, 14(7), 583-590.
Phelan, J. (2021). What is life? A Guide to biology with Physiology (5th ed.).W.H.Freeman Company.
Serova, O. V., Gantsova, E. A., Deyev, I. E., & Petrenko, A. G. (2020). The value of pH sensors in maintaining homeostasis of the nervous system. Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry, 46(4), 506-519.