The document discusses homeostasis and provides examples of positive and negative feedback mechanisms. Positive feedback amplifies the initial change, like labor contractions. Negative feedback counteracts the initial change, like maintaining body temperature.
The document discusses homeostasis and provides examples of positive and negative feedback mechanisms. Positive feedback amplifies the initial change, like labor contractions. Negative feedback counteracts the initial change, like maintaining body temperature.
The document discusses homeostasis and provides examples of positive and negative feedback mechanisms. Positive feedback amplifies the initial change, like labor contractions. Negative feedback counteracts the initial change, like maintaining body temperature.
The document discusses homeostasis and provides examples of positive and negative feedback mechanisms. Positive feedback amplifies the initial change, like labor contractions. Negative feedback counteracts the initial change, like maintaining body temperature.
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METROPOLITAN INTERNATIONAL
UNIVERSITY NAME: LOMURIA GODFREY MANDELA COURSE: DCM REGISTRATION NUMBER: 23B/DCM/012/UMR COURSE UNIT: ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY YEAR: ONE SEMESTER: ONE PROGRAMME: WEEKEND LECTURER’S NAME: DR. MUHOOZI ROGERS
QUESTIONS 1. a) Define Homeostasis b) With examples describe positive feedback and negative feedback mechanisms. ANSWERS
a) Homeostasis is the tendency of the body system to maintain relatively constant conditions in the internal environment while continuously interacting with and adjusting to changes originating within or outside the system. Simply homeostasis is a state of a good health maintained by the normal metabolism of the organ systems.
b) Positive feedback mechanism is when the output of the system stimulates the system in such a way as to further increase the output. I.e. a change in a given direction causes additional change in a given direction. Examples of positive feedback mechanism. 1.Amplification of labor contractions. The contractions are initiated as the baby moves into position, stretching the cervix beyond it’s normal position. The feedback increases the strength and the frequency of the contractions until the baby is born.
Illustration of labor contractions
2. Digestion. The stomach uses the molecule pepsin to digest proteins. It first secrets pepsinogen, which is an enzyme in an active form. When food is taken into the body and needs to be digested, pepsinogen is converted to pepsin. The conversion triggers the conversion of more pepsinogen to pepsin so that the stomach accumulates enough for the digestion of proteins. 3. Nerve signaling. Nerve impulse work through action potential which are changes in the electrical potential between the inside and outside the nerve that propagates the signaling. Action potentials are caused by an influx of sodium ions in the nerve, it causes more channels to open which causes more sodium ions to rush in creating a positive feedback loop that causes a large amount of sodium ions to enter the nerve and create an action potential. 4. Blood clotting. When a part of the body is injured, it releases chemicals that activate blood platelet. Blood platelets are responsible for stopping bleeding by forming clots. An activated platelet in turn activates more platelets which group together to clot. 5. Menstrual cycle. Before ovulation, the hormone estrogen is released by the ovary. Estrogen travels to the brain which causes Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) to be released from the Hypothalamus and Luteinizing Hormone( LH) to be released from the pituitary glands. LH causes more estrogen to be released from the Ovary which in turn causes an increase in GnRH and LH in the blood stream through positive feedback. The rise of these hormones along with Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) causes ovulation to occur. Negative feedback. Is when the system’s output acts to reduce the process that led to output of that system resulting in less output. I. e. A change in a given direction causes change in the opposite direction. Examples of Negative feedback. 1. When body temperature drops, the Hypothalamus initiates several physiological responses to increase heat production and conserve heat. Narrowing of the blood surface blood vessels (Vasoconstriction) decreases the flow of heat to the skin. Shivering commences, increasing production of heat by muscles. Adrenal glands secrete stimulating hormones such as norepinephrine and epinephrine to increase the metabolic rates and hence heat production. Illustration of Negative feedback when temperature drops
2. When body temperature rises, the Hypothalamus initiates several
physiological responses to decrease heat production and lose heat. Widening of surface blood vessels (vasodilation) increases the flow of heat to the skin and get flushed. Sweat glands release water (sweat) and evaporation cools the skin. Illustration of when the body temperature rises.
