Human Body Systems and Homeostasis

Human Body Systems & Homeostasis

 Organization of Living Things
The trillions of cells in your body can be organized into
approximately 100 different types of cells.
Cells that perform a common function are organized into
tissues, which are organized into organs. Organs work
together in systems.
Smooth muscle cells make up smooth muscle tissue. Smooth muscle tissue lines the inside of the
urinary bladder, an organ that is part of the excretory (urinary) system.

Human Body Systems & Homeostasis

 Human Body Systems
Human body systems perform the following functions:

• Transport materials in the body via circulatory (blood,

nutrients, oxygen, cellular waste), lymphatic (fat and
excess tissue fluid), and immune systems
• Add or remove substances from blood via digestive,
respiratory, and excretory systems
• Communicate with the brain and spinal cord via the
integumentary system (hair, skin, nails, glands)

Continued…
Human Body Systems & Homeostasis
 Human Body Systems
• Enable the body to move through the muscular and
skeletal systems
• Allow responses from external and internal stimuli
via the nervous system
• Secrete chemicals for messaging between cells using
the endocrine system
• Produce sex hormones and produce and transport
gametes via reproductive systems

Human Body Systems & Homeostasis

 Homeostasis
Homeostasis is the tendency of the body to maintain a
relatively constant internal environment. It is dynamic and
allows for fluctuations throughout the day and night.
 Some of the variables controlled are:
-temperature
-blood glucose concentration
-blood pH
-blood pressure
-heart rate

Human Body Systems & Homeostasis

 Feedback Systems
Homeostasis is continuously disturbed by external or
internal stimuli. Body systems constantly monitor changes
and maintain homeostasis through both negative and
positive feedback systems. A feedback system consists of:

• a sensor, which detects changes and sends signals to the

control centre
• a control centre, which sets the range of values within
which a variable should be maintained, receives
information from sensors, and sends signals to effectors
• an effector, which responds to signals from a control
centre to effect change in a variable

Human Body Systems & Homeostasis

 Negative Feedback Systems
In a negative feedback system, the body works to reverse a
change detected in a variable so that the variable is brought
back to within a normal range. Most variables are maintained
by negative feedback loops.

(A) In a negative feedback

system, homeostasis is
returned to normal.
(B) Body temperature is
maintained by a negative
feedback system.

Human Body Systems & Homeostasis

 Thermoregulation
• Decreasing body temperature:
– As you sweat and the perspiration
evaporates from your skin, it
requires heat
– When your blood vessels dilate
(vasodilation), more blood is
brought to surface of skin,
resulting in heat loss through
radiation and conduction
• Increasing body temperature:
– When you shiver, muscles
contract repeatedly, which
increases heat production
– When your blood vessels constrict
(vasoconstriction), heat loss
through the skin is decreased
Human Body Systems & Homeostasis
 Positive Feedback Systems
Contractions during childbirth are regulated by a
positive feedback system.
Positive feedback systems
tend to strengthen or
increase a change in a
variable. Contractions
during childbirth is a
variable controlled by a
positive feedback system.
This loop has a definitive
cut-off point to stop
amplification of the
response.

Human Body Systems & Homeostasis