PRINCIPLES OF HOMEOSTASIS

Principles of Homeostasis and Human Body

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Principles of Homeostasis and Human Body

Thesis Statement

The process of homeostasis is extremely important for the sake of establishing internal conditions vital to the survival of human beings.

Introduction

The term homeostasis basically comes from a combination of two Greek words, homeo, which means the same and stasis, which means standing and there its literary meaning becomes 'staying the same.' There are several kinds of specific functions that the body of human performs everyday and that also assist every individual in order to move about in any particular environment, for instance to perform any kind of work or play and even to survive. Several of these different systems also contribute to homeostasis. The process of homeostasis is extremely important for the sake of establishing internal conditions vital to the survival of cells, tissues and organs and most importantly to our own survival as well. Researchers believe that it is basically a state of internal constancy and is maintained with the help of a process called negative feedback (Chiras 2012, pp. 5).

Discussion

A number of people refer homeostasis as a state of internal constancy but there is another group of people who are of the view that homeostasis is not a static state. Homeostasis is achieved with the help of a number of automatic mechanisms for the sake of internal and external changes. The mechanism of homeostasis requires sensors, the structures that are associated with detecting any kind of internal and external change. In order to preserve homeostasis the control system of the body must be able to notice changes from usual in the internal environment factor that needs to be held within restricted limits, incorporate this information with other applicable information and make suitable adjustments for restoring the factors to its desired values (Sherwood 2012, pp. 16).

Now it is the challenge response systems that activate the response of fight-or-flight. For instance, if I am confronted with challenges of frightening, as prominent aspects of this particular response, my heartbeat will be increased, iris in the eye will contract, brain will be activated, muscles and sweat glands will contract, abdominal skeletal muscles will tighten, sphincters will relax and at the same time spleen will also contract. I will draw in my breath, tighten my stomach and heart beat will seems to explode out of my chest. These reactions are important and prepare body for fight-or-flight response and created by signals from the brain that lead to increases activity in endocrine glands. The hypothalamus signals the adrenal glands to begin hormones such as norepinephrine and epinephrine into the blood. These hormones produce energizing effects on the body, increase heart beat and directing blood and oxygen flow to energy-demanding cell throughout the body. The body is now ready for action to survive (Nairne 2010, pp. 82).

The endocrine system is important role in the fight-or-flight response. Under the conditions of short-term stress due to hypothalamus the anterior pituitary gland releases adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). This goes to the ...