I/GCSE Biology - Osmoregulation

In this post, we'll talk about homeostatis in I/GCSE Biology. Let's get started! 😆

In I/GCSE Biology, it's commonly asked in the exam!

HOMEOSTATIS is the maintenance of a constant internal environment – It is achieved by balancing bodily inputs and outputs, using the NERVOUS SYSTEM and HORMONES to control the process. Examples if things that the body keeps the same are:

• Body temperature at 37˚C
• The amount of water inside our body

Automatic control systems throughout the body maintain a range of factors at steady levels and that this is required for cells to function properly.

For homeostasis to work, these control systems need to have:

• RECEPTORS to detect changes in the environment
• PROCESSING CENTRES to receive information and coordinate responses automatically
• EFFECTORS to produce the response

In I/GCSE Biology, it's important the remember the following points!

NEGATIVE FEEDBACK ensures that, in any control system, changes are reversed and returned back to the set level.

For EXAMPLE:

• when receptors detect that the temperature in the body has increased above a certain level,
• the processing centre (brain) sends signals to the effectors (in this case sweat glands) to produce sweat to cool down the body.
• This process is where the steady state of the body is adjusted to reverse the change.

• For the cells of our body to work properly, it is important that their water contained is maintained at the correct level.
• This means our body must maintain a balance between the water we take in and water we lose
• Water is INPUT (gained) from drinks, foods and respiration and it is OUTPUT (lost) through sweating, breathing, faeces and the excretion of urine.

And we're done with this topic! Well Done!

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Drafted by Alyssa (Biology)

References:

1. "4.4 Quiz Homeostasis", https://quizizz.com/_media/quizzes/e00d4e4f-2d95-477e-8f03-5e941e3ab6ed_900_900
2. "Homeostasis", https://nitrocdn.com/BzukxzxIDWSkBjOuXIuFVkjjEriFmqlw/assets/static/optimized/rev-b8fe5f6/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/homeostasis-definition-768x432.jpg
3. "Examples of Negative Feedback", https://assets.ltkcontent.com/images/8616/negative-feedback-loop_0066f46bde.jpg
4. "Negative Feedback". Photo from the internet.
5. "Osmoregulation", https://d20khd7ddkh5ls.cloudfront.net/homeostasis_osmoregulation_isotonic_hypertonic_hypotonic.jpg