Abstract
Homeostasis is a major process that implements a feedback mechanism aimed at regulating the body temperature, water level and sugar level. Homeostasis uses hormones secreted by the endocrine glands in making this corrective process successful. Once the endocrine system has released these hormones into the blood, action is triggered for the normal state to be achieved. In the regulation of temperature, the endocrine system composes of hypothalamus which triggers the release of thyroid hormone responsible for the changes in the metabolic processes of the body.
In the regulation of sugar level, the pancreas is the major endocrine which releases two major hormones, insulin and glucagon. Insulin changes glucose into glycogen while glucagon changes glycogen into glucose, this process is vital in sugar regulation in the body. In water level regulation, posterior pituitary gland is the endocrine that releases vasopressin which together with the released Na+ plays a major role in the excretion process.
Homeostasis regulation of temperature
In the regulation of temperature, the brain section called hypothalamus is central to the process of body temperature control. The hypothalamus in the brain receives the message through the skin receptors responsible for sending impulse to this centre. When there is a significant temperature drop, the thyroid hormones in the hypothalamus are released; this causes increased metabolic activity in the body hence generating heat in the process of maintaining a constant body temperature. The arterioles constrict hence reducing the surface area of the blood exposed which then reduces heat loss through radiation. The muscles also contribute to the increase of the activity that requires heat generation through contraction which demands respiratory process that gives out extra heat which contributes in the warming of the body (Williams, 2005).
In the event of increased temperature, the opposite happens; this is also done via the hypothalamus section of the brain that controls the release of the thyroid hormone which then results in activities that reduce body temperature. In essence, arterioles (small arterial branches) dilate (to widen) to increase the blood surface area for it to lose temperature through radiation. The sweat glands also release sweat, when evaporation at the skin level occurs, it causes a cooling effect on the body. The normal body temperature is usually 370C, if the temperature of the environment goes beyond or below this figure, usually the negative feedback mechanism will operate to maintain this normal body temperature
Homeostasis regulation of blood sugar level
The level of sugar in the blood is essentially controlled by the pancreas; it does so by controlling the amount of glucose level in the blood. To achieve this vital role, the pancreas uses two hormones namely insulin and glucagon. The normal body blood sugar level is 82 to 110 mg/dL; this is usually a 4.4 to 6.1 mol/L. After a heavy consumption of carbohydrates or starch, the level of glucose increases to this high sugar food consumed (this is usually about 140 mg/dL which is (7.8 mol/L)). The pancreas then releases insulin to the blood which triggers the liver to change the excess glucose into glycogen which is usually insoluble hence reducing the blood sugar level by storing the glycogen (Tortora, 2008).
When the blood sugar level drops due to excess exercise, this drop is normally from 90- 130 mg/dL which is 4.4-6.0 mol/L, the pancreas in this case releases glucagon, a hormone that triggers the liver to change glycogen into glucose and discharge it into the blood. This makes the blood sugar level constant throughout and hence making the pancreas and the liver a great source of homeostasis.
Homeostasis regulation of water level control
Water regulation in the body usually happens in several ways, initially the intake of water is through water and beverage drinking, eating of foods with different amount of water and the oxidation of the foods consumed. The major regulator of water is through urinary excretion, excretion of faeces, excretion by pulmonary and perspiration as a result of sweating. The plasma changes in osmotic pressure and the ions i.e. Na+ and K+ concentration levels also play a significant role in water excretion (Givens, 2002). The vasopressin hormone which is produced by the posterior pituitary gland is usually responsible for the secretion of water. The plasma change which is its osmotic pressure triggers the release of this hormone. Usually about 500mL/day is used in the removal of body’s waste materials, this happens even without any water intake.
In the process of water control which involves excretion (as the main source of water control), the concentration of Na+ stimulates an increase in the excretion process which dehydrates the stomach. The dehydration of the stomach results in oxidation of protein during excretion process.
References
Givens, P. & Reiss, M., 2002. Human biology and health studies. London: Nelson Thornes.
Tortora, G.J.& Evans, R.L., 2006. Principles of human physiology. Liverpool: Harper & Row.
Williams, G., 2005. Top Biology Grades for You Aqa Mod. Cambridge: Nelson Thornes.