Demonstrating understanding of the concept of homeostasis

 Demonstrating understanding of the concept of homeostasis by experiment Homeostasis is a process by which the body maintains a stable internal environment within a narrow range of variation. Homeostasis (Greek for " staying the same") is a process by which the body maintains a stable internal environment. The hypothalamus is a part of the brain that helps the body maintain homeostasis. It is located in the brain just above the brainstem and is a group of neurons that forms the primary link between the nervous system and the endocrine system.

This small part of the brain is responsible for regulating many key body processes including internal body temperature, hunger, thirst, blood pressure, and daily (circadian) rhythms. A simple metaphor will be when the temperature of a room becomes too warm, the thermostat will switch on the air conditioning and cool the room. When the room temperature reaches a set desired temperature, the system turns off. Similarly, most body systems maintain homeostasis by using positive or negative feedback mechanisms. When the brain receives messages from the body about an internal change in one of its systems, it works to restore the system to its normal state. When a stimulus (environment change) is met by a response that reverses (negates) the trend of the stimulus, it is negative feedback. As a result, the internal environment is returned to normal. Negative feedback mechanisms are found in the regulation of blood pressure, heart rate, and internal temperature controls. Positive feedback is a mechanism that is rare in a healthy body.

Instead of restoring the body to a normal state, the positive feedback mechanism causes an even greater change. An example of positive feedback can be found in the release of oxytocin, a hormone that intensifies the contractions that take place during childbirth. As the baby’s head is ready to move out of the mother’s body, oxytocin increases and the levels of contractions increase thus pushing the baby out. In this instance, the body responds to an event with more "force" or in a stronger way. Exercise causes many factors of homeostasis to kick in to maintain internal equilibrium. How exercise affects some of these factors can be determined by measuring and observing certain conditions of the human body. Some of these conditions that can be measured are: ecordings

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