Homeostasis.

[JustAnotherStar]

Explain the importance of homeostasis in maintaining the healthy functioning of the body
A detailed and accurate account is needed to ensure that this criteria is achieved. You will need to produce an in-depth piece of work explaining the importance of homeostasis in maintaining the healthy functioning of the body. you can also include examples of what happens when homeostasis does not happen sufficiently and the results to the body of this.

A question for my college assignment. I have already writeen 5 pages on this but am aiming for a distinction and feel that i have not written in enough detail as you have to write in loads of detail for a distinction. I have looked on so many websites and in so many books and can't really find what i need. So looking at the question can anyone point me in the right direction please? Or even how to go about answering the question becasue although i have started it i don't know if i've written the right sort of thing.

[MikeS]

I can help you with this assignment. The purpose of homeostasis is to maintain the balance in the body. Now this balance can be physical such as body temperature. Or, it can be chemical, such as blood pH. Or, hormonal, look at your endocrine system's negative feedback loops. Examples on top of my head are fevers (temperature out of control), hyperventilation (alkalinosis), Hormonal (diabetes)

What exactly are you looking for?

[JustAnotherStar]

It doesn't say exactly in the question. I have already written about body temperature, blood sugar levels and breathing rate. I have written quite a bit for these but still feel that I haven't answered the question. I also need to write about heart rate and so far haven't found sufficient information for my assignment.
Thanks

[MikeS]

Heart rate is regulated by the autonomic nervous system. The heart by itself, however, can beat without nervous stimulation because of the pacemaker. Stimulation just regulates whether it beats faster or slower.

As for the blood pH, you can read a Class Note on Blood pH. Blood is basically a buffer, and maintaining the pH by homeostasis is important. CO2 + H20 -> H2CO3 -> H+ and HCO3-. The H+ gets carried around by hemoglobin, and blood pH can affect the hemoglobin (haemoglobin) binding curve for oxygen ( exercising muscles need the globin to release its O2). I think O2 level or breathing is another homeostasis mechanism- need to respond to metabolism of the body.

Good luck with your assignment

[JustAnotherStar]

Thank you

[ch31s34]

please can you help me answer this question, it's for my college assignment and im struggling with it. The question is - why homeostasis is important in maintaining the healthy functioning of the body.

[favorina]

I think you need to plan it out kinda like this:
1.Introduction: what is homeostasis?
2.Classification : Go through annimalia and show some of the ways different organisms in different phyla employ homeostasis and in relation to their specific requirements. End with humans.
3.Human Homeostasis:
-What is controlled and what controls it:
Eg Excretion osmoregulation and pH control --> kidney
-Use histological details to explain the process.
4.End by mentioning diseases that disrupt homeostasis and their symptoms, possible treatment and cures and what is being done to further knowledge on the condition to help people's quality of life.
Eg. Diabetes insipidus and diabetes melitus. Genetic engineering has helped to obtain pure insulin for insulin dependent diabetics. Looking into genetherapy for genetically related diabetes as a cure.

[sheeno]

explain what has happened to the homeostatic control system of the patient with Type I diabetes??
can someone answer this plzzz

[DocWillow]

I think homeostasis is important because it helps humans slowly adjust to their environment.Without knowing for example the ideal body temperature, the body will exceed body enzymes and chemicals that may be harmful to the body. so its really very important. Hope I help..

[JackBean]

sheeno: do you know, what is wrong when you get diabetes I? How is the level of blood glucose maintained?