Homeostasis

·         The term homeostasis refers to the maintenance of a constant internal environment within the body through negative feedback, despite fluctuations in the external environment.

·         The set point for body temperature is 37.4.

·         Negative feedback is when the body senses an internal change and then activates mechanisms which reverse this change. It involves a receptor (or sensor), and effector and a means of communicating between them.

·         Negative feedback control:

o   Conditions in the body change from a set point

o   The change is detected by a receptor

o   Corrective mechanisms activated by an effector

o   Conditions return to the set point

o   Corrective mechanisms switch off

·         The hypothalamus has the ability to control every endocrine gland responsible of altering blood pressure, body temperature, metabolism and adrenaline levels.

·         The involuntary/ autonomic nervous system (ANS):

o   Responsible for homeostasis

o   Much of the activities are controlled by the hypothalamus.

o   There are two branches of the autonomic nervous system; sympathetic and…