Bio Assignment 2A PDF

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Bachelor of Nursing Bio science 1. Assignment 2 part A...

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Assignment 2A Part A Question 1: An important aspect of homeostasis is maintaining a normal body temperature. Describe the homeostatic feedback system (i.e. stimulus- receptors- control centre- effectors- response, series of steps) that would be activated in response to a decreased external temperature.

Homeostasis is the body’s ability to maintain relatively stable internal conditions despite the constant changes of the outside environment (Marieb and Hoehn, 2019). Internal factors, such as mental stresses, disease and blood pressure levels as well as external conditions such as Injury and temperature can interfere with homeostasis.

A significant part of homeostasis is to maintain a normal body temperature. Regulating internal body temperature at the normal range is essential in order to ensure enzymes function properly and the core temperature is stable (Marieb and Hoehn, 2019). If there is a prolonged temperature imbalance in the internal environment of the human body, the body would not be able to function normally. The normal body temperature is 37 degrees Celsius, in order to maintain this the body uses a negative feedback mechanism, this mechanism consists of five elements which play an important role in maintaining homeostasis in the body. These elements are Stimulus, receptors, control Centre, effectors, response.(Marieb and Hoehn, 2019). The main function of the feedback mechanism is to constantly monitor the change in body conditions and evaluate a response.

When a person is exposed to a decrease in external temperature (stimulus), The external receptors in the skin (first component) detect the stimulus or change in normal temperature. These receptors then send signals (input) along the afferent pathway to the

Control Centre (second component). The control center “Thermoregulatory Centre” is located in the hypothalamus in the brain. This control Centre is the operational point where the signals (input) are received, analysed, and an suitable response is determined. Once it has evaluated, it proceeds to respond by sending information (output) from the control Centre along the efferent pathway to the effectors (third component) (Marieb and Hoehn, 2019). The effectors include skeletal muscles, sweat glands and blood vessels. Once output is received, these effectors will carry out the response sent from the control Centre. In the case of responding to an increased body temperature, the blood vessels (effectors) will decrease in size to move further from the skins surface, this makes blood flow away from the skin and heat is then conserved to warm the body (Marieb and Hoehn, 2019). The Skeletal muscles (effectors) will rapidly contract causing shivering, this generates heat, thus warming the body and increasing temperature (Marieb and Hoehn, 2019).

This response from the control Centre is sent to reduce or stop the undesirable external stimulus. This process will continue to operate until the internal body temperature is back to an optimal level and the stimulus comes to and end (Marieb and Hoehn, 2019).

References:

Marieb, E. N., & Hoehn, K. (2019). Human anatomy & physiology, global edition. Retrieved from (https://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781292260938)...