Homeostatic Mechanism

Controlling Mechanisms
Applied Biological
Science
1
Aim of the lecture
To identify the principles behind the

physiological control mechanisms used to
maintain body function at its optimum level.
2
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the session the students will be

able to:
Recognise the need for physiological control
systems
Define homeostasis
Give common examples of homeostatic regulation
Explain negative and positive feedback
3
Definition of homeostasis
The automatic, self-regulating physiological

processes necessary to maintain the normal,
or standard state of the body’s internal
environment.
4
Need for homeostasis
Evolution has meant that the environment in

which an organism lives is often:-
Inconsistent
Unpredictable
Potentially dangerous
5
Historical perspective
The importance of the concept of

homeostasis was first discussed in the
middle of the 19th century by Claude Bernard
who stated:
“La fixite du milieu interieur est la condition de la vie

libre”
“The consistency of the internal environment is the condition for

free life”
6
Historical perspective
Walter Bradford Cannon (1932) from the

Greek homoios (same, like, resembling) and
stasis (to stand, posture).
Absolutely vital to any organism – failure

leads to death
7
Homeostasis
Homeostasis is arguably the most important

concept within physiology. It represents the
processes necessary for the maintenance of
conditions under which cells, and hence the
body, can function optimally; since even
small changes in body fluid composition can
disrupt biochemical activities within a cell or
may even kill it.
8
Dynamic Equilibrium
Dynamic equilibrium refers to a
condition in which the parts of a
system are in continuous motion,
but they move in opposing
directions at equal rates so that
the system as a whole does not
change.
Cell membrane is semi permeable
therefore some substances e.g.
ions (K, Cl, Na, Ca etc)
continually leaching in and out
Concentrations of solutes, water
etc in cell must however remain
constant.
9
Homeostasis
An organism is said to be in homeostasis

when its internal environment:-
– contains the optimum concentration of gases,
nutrients, ions and water
– has an optimal temperature
– has an optimal pressure for the cells
These optimal levels can be considered as

“set points”
10
Control mechanisms
All homeostatic control mechanisms have at

least three interdependent components for
the variable being regulated:
Receptor
Control system
Effector
11
Receptors
The receptor is the sensing component that

monitors and responds to changes in the
environment. When the receptor senses a
stimulus, it sends information to a control
centre.
– Chemoreceptors
– Baroreceptors
12
Control Centre
The control centre is the component that sets

the range at which a variable is maintained
and determines an appropriate response to
the stimulus.
– Central Nervous Systen
13
Effector
The receptor thus stimulated then responds

by either enhancing the stimulus with
positive feedback or by depressing it with
negative feedback.
– Organ system, organ, tissue, or cellular level
14
Positive feedback loop
This is when a stimulus

causes a deviation away
from an original set point
which in turn causes an
increase in the stimulus
causing further deviation
away from the set point
Induces change
15
Negative feedback loop
This is when a stimulus

causes a deviation
away from an original
set point which results
in a decrease in the
stimulus returning the
deviation to the set
point.
Maintains stability
16
17
Maintaining Body Temperature
Maintenance of body temperature is achieved

by the following mechanisms
Auto regulation
Extrinsic regulation
18
Autoregulation
Occurs when cell, tissue, organ or organ

system adjusts its activities automatically in
response to an environmentally stimulus
Example
– Increased body temperature results in increased
sweating and flushing of the skin.
19
Extrinsic regulation
This results from the activities of the nervous

or endocrine systems
Example
– Individual feeling too hot decides to take off some
warm clothing i.e. remove coat
20
Negative feedback - thermoregulation
21
22
23
24
What’s the connection?
25
Summary
Physiological systems work together to

maintain a stable internal environment, the
condition of homeostasis. In doing so they
monitor and adjust the volume and
composition of body fluids and keep body
temperature within normal limits.
Failure to do so results in death

26
Any Questions?
Thank you
See you all next time
27

Homeostatic Mechanism

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Controlling Mechanisms

To identify the principles behind the

At the end of the session the students will be

The automatic, self-regulating physiological

Evolution has meant that the environment in

The importance of the concept of

“La fixite du milieu interieur est la condition de la vie

“The consistency of the internal environment is the condition for

Walter Bradford Cannon (1932) from the

Absolutely vital to any organism – failure

Homeostasis is arguably the most important

An organism is said to be in homeostasis

These optimal levels can be considered as

All homeostatic control mechanisms have at

The receptor is the sensing component that

The control centre is the component that sets

The receptor thus stimulated then responds

This is when a stimulus

This is when a stimulus

Maintenance of body temperature is achieved

Occurs when cell, tissue, organ or organ

This results from the activities of the nervous

Physiological systems work together to

Failure to do so results in death

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