DR.

REBECCA WONG
FACULTY OF MEDICINE
SEGI UNIVERSITY

Learning Outcomes

Define homeostasis
List the components of a feedback
system
Describe a feedback system with the use
of appropriate examples
Differentiate positive and negative
feedback systems

Homeostasis

Homeostasis is
the ability of the
body to
maintain a
relatively
constant
internal
environment,
regardless of
environmental
changes

Homeostasis

A condition of equilibrium (balance) in

the bodys internal environment
Dynamic condition
Only a narrow range in most parameters is
compatible with maintaining life
Example
Blood glucose levels range between 70 and 110 mg
of glucose/dL of blood
Whole body contributes to maintain the internal
environment within normal limits

Homeostasis and Body Fluids

Maintaining the volume and composition

of body fluids are important
Body fluids are defined as dilute, watery
solutions containing dissolved chemicals inside
or outside of the cell
Intracellular Fluid (ICF)
Fluid within cells

Extracellular Fluid (ECF)

Fluid outside cells
Interstitial fluid is ECF between cells and tissues

Body Fluid Compartments

ECF and Body

Location

Blood Plasma
ECF within blood vessels

Lymph
ECF within lymphatic vessels

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

ECF in the brain and spinal cord

Synovial fluid
ECF in joints

Aqueous humor and

vitreous body
ECF in eyes

Ionic concentrations in various fluid

compartments
Blood Plasma
(mEq/l)

Interstitial
Fluid
(mEq/l)

Intracellular
Fluid
(mEq/l)

Na+

142

145

10

K+

140

Ca2+

0.2

Mg2+

35

Cl-

100

117

HCO3-

24

27

15

HPO42-

100

SO42-

20

Protein anions

20

50

Interstitial Fluid and Body Function

Cellular function depends on the regulation of
composition of interstitial fluid
Bodys internal environment
Composition of interstitial fluid changes

There is a constant movement of fluid back and forth

across capillary walls provide nutrients (glucose,
oxygen, ions) to tissue cells and removes waste
(carbon dioxide)

Control of Homeostasis

Homeostasis is constantly being disrupted

Disruptions can be:
Mild and temporary (balance is quickly restored)
Intense and prolonged (poisoning or severe infections)

Examples of diruption:
Physical insults

Intense heat or lack of oxygen

Changes in the internal environment

Drop in blood glucose due to lack of food

Physiological stress

Demands of work or school

Feedback System

Cycle of events

Body is monitored
and re-monitored
Each monitored
variable e.g. blood
pressure.
temperature,
blood glucose level,
is termed a
controlled
condition

Three Basic
components of a
feedback system
are:
Receptor
Control center
Effector

Feedback systems
Organisms use feedback mechanisms to
regulate growth and reproduction,
and to maintain dynamic
homeostasis.
Organisms use feedback mechanisms to
maintain their internal
environments and respond to
external environmental changes.

Components of a Feedback System

Receptor
Body structure that monitors changes in a
controlled condition
Sends input to the control center
For example: nerve ending of the skin in response
to temperature change

Components of a Feedback System

Control Center
E.g. Brain
Sets the range of values to be maintained
Evaluates input received from receptors
and generates output command
Nerve impulses, hormones
For example: Brains acts as a control center
receiving nerve impulses from skin temperature
receptors

Components of a Feedback System

Effector
Receives output from the control center
Produces a response or effect that
changes the controlled condition
Found in nearly every organ or tissue
For example: Body temperature drops brain
sends impulse to the skeletal muscles to contract
Shivering to generate heat

Copyright 2009, John Wiley & Sons,

Inc.

Negative feedback systems

Most homeostatic control mechanisms
are negative feedback mechanisms.
A negative feedback mechanism causes the
variable to change in a way that
opposes the initial change.
Both the nervous system and the endocrine
system are important to the maintenance of
homeostasis.
The goal of negative feedback mechanisms is
to prevent sudden, severe changes in
the body.

Negative Feedback systems

Reverses a change in a controlled
condition
Example:
1. Regulation of blood pressure (force exerted by
blood as it presses again the walls of the blood
vessels)
2. Regulation of blood glucose

http://classes.midlandstech.edu/carterp/Courses/bio210/chap01/chap01.html

Copyright 2009, John Wiley & Sons,

Inc.

Negative Feedback:
Regulation of Blood
Pressure

External or internal stimulus

increase blood pressure (BP)
Baroreceptors (pressure sensitive
receptors)
Detect higher BP
Send nerve impulses to brain for
interpretation
Response sent via nerve impulse
sent to heart and blood vessels
BP drops and homeostasis is
restored
Drop in BP negates the original
stimulus

Negative feedback: Regulation of

blood glucose

Copyright 2009, John Wiley & Sons,

Inc.

Copyright 2009, John Wiley & Sons,

Inc.

Positive feedback systems

A positive feedback mechanism causes the

variable to change in the same direction as
the original change, resulting in a greater
deviation from the set point.
Positive feedback mechanisms typically
activate events that are selfperpetuating.
Most positive feedback mechanisms are not
related to the maintenance of homeostasis.

Negative and Positive Feedback systems

Positive Feedback systems

Strengthen or reinforce a change in one
of the bodys controlled conditions

Example:
1. Normal child birth
2. LH surge leading to ovulation

Positive Feedback
Systems: Normal
Childbirth

Uterine contractions cause

vagina to open
Stretch-sensitive receptors in
cervix send impulse to brain
Oxytocin is released into the
blood
Contractions enhanced and
baby pushes farther down the
uterus
Cycle continues to the birth of
the baby (no stretching)

Copyright 2009, John Wiley & Sons,

Inc.

Positive Feedback

Copyright 2009, John Wiley & Sons,

Inc.

Positive feedback

Negative feedback

Continually reinforces a
change, an external event
must shut it off.

Slows down a controlled

condition to its normal
state and then it stops.

Regulates events that do

not happen very often

Regulates conditions that

are supposed to remain
stable over time

Homeostatic Imbalances

Normal equilibrium of body processes are

disrupted
Moderate imbalance
Disorder or abnormality of structure and function
Disease specific for an illness with recognizable signs
and symptoms
Signs are objective changes such as a fever or
swelling
Symptoms are subjective changes such as headache

Homeostatic Imbalances

Normal equilibrium of body processes are

disrupted
Severe imbalance
Death
E.g. smoking leads to continuous irritation of lung tissue
scarring, loss of elasticity
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
cancer.

Further reading
1.
2.

3.

Principles of Anatomy and Physiology,

13th Ed. 2011. Gerard J. Tortora. Wiley.
Fundamentals of Anatomy & Physiology
9th Ed. 2012. Frederic H Martini.
Pearson/Benjamin Cummings.
Human anatomy & physiology 8th ed.
2006, Elaine N. Marieb. Pearson/Benjamin
Cummings.