Question

1. define homeostasis in your own words:
2. does your body need to stay in the exact same set of conditions all the time or in a narrow range of conditions? why?
3. what is thermoregulation? what part of the brain controls this process?
4. explain what a negative feedback loop is and give an example other than thermoregulation.
5. explain what a positive feedback loop is and give an example other than childbirth.

Explanation:

1. Homeostasis is the body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes.
2. The body needs to stay within a narrow range of conditions. This is because extreme values for factors like temperature, pH, and blood - glucose can disrupt cellular functions.
3. Thermoregulation is the process by which the body maintains its core temperature. The hypothalamus in the brain controls this process.
4. A negative feedback loop is a regulatory mechanism where the body's response counteracts the initial change. For example, when blood glucose levels rise, the pancreas releases insulin to lower them.
5. A positive feedback loop is a process where the body's response amplifies the initial change. For example, during blood clotting, the formation of a clot stimulates more clot - forming factors to be released.

Answer:

1. The body's ability to keep a stable internal state amidst external changes.
2. In a narrow range of conditions. Extreme values can disrupt cellular functions.
3. Process to maintain core body temperature. Hypothalamus controls it.
4. Regulatory mechanism where response counteracts initial change. Example: Insulin release when blood - glucose rises.
5. Process where response amplifies initial change. Example: Blood - clotting process.