HOMEOSTASIS

Homeostasis is the maintenance of a steady state in the body despite changes in the external environment The steady state is the optimum level for the body functions
2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

A system in homeostasis needs

Sensors to detect changes in the internal environment A comparator which fixes the set point of the system (e.g. body temperature). The set point will be the optimum condition under which the system operates Effectors which bring the system back to the set point Feedback control. Negative feedback stops the system over compensating (going too far) A communication system to link the different parts together

2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

A system in homeostasis needs

Perturbation in the internal environment

Sensor

Comparator

Effector

Return to normal internal environment

Sensor

Negative feedback

2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

Communication systems
These should consist of the following components
Stimulus
Sensor

Linkage system
Effector Reponse

2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

In animals there are two communication systems

The endocrine system based upon hormones The nervous system based upon nerve impulses

2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

Hormones
Organic substances Produced in small quantities Produced in one part of an organism (an endocrine gland) Transported by the blood system To a target organ or tissue where it has a profound effect

2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

The endocrine system

The endocrine system produces chemical signals Each hormone is different and they travel relatively quickly through the blood stream all over the body

Their effects may be very slow (e.g. growth hormone over years)
Some are very fast (e.g. adrenaline which acts in seconds)

2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

Nerve impulses

All nerve impulses look the same

So the nervous system sends signals along nerves to specific parts of the body

The nerve impulses travel very quickly and affect their target tissues in milliseconds

2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

The nervous system

The nervous system is composed of excitable cells called neurones (also neurons) Neurones, characteristically, have long thin extensions which carry electrical nerve impulses This electrical signal of the nerve impulse needs to be converted into a chemical signal (a neurotransmitter) so that it can pass from nerve cell to nerve cell

2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

The nervous system organisation

A Central Nervous System (CNS) made of the brain and spinal cord and peripheral nerves connecting it to
sensors and effectors
Central Nervous System Sensory nerve Motor nerve Effector eg muscle or gland

Receptor or Sensor eg photoreceptor

Stimulus
2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

Response

Hormone pathway
Endocrine cell Hormone synthesis Hormone precursors Stimulus acts on receptor site or directly inside cell Hormone stored in vesicles Hormone secreted into the blood stream

Chemicals stimulating the release of the hormone

2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

Hormone pathway

Hormone receptor site

Metabolic effect

2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

Target cell