The cell maintains homeostasis. What do you mean by homeostasis and why does the cell maintain it
Homeostasis is an organism’s process of maintaining a stable internal environment suitable for sustaining life. The word homeostasisderives from Greek, with homemeaning “similar,” and stasis, meaning “stable.” When used as an adjective, it is homeostatic. We normally think about homeostasis in terms of the whole body, but individual systems – that is, groups of organs – also maintain homeostatic conditions. Nonetheless, prolonged imbalance in just one system can negatively impact the homeostasis of the entire organism.
Examples of Homeostasis Homeostasis is a regulatory procedure. In the human body, homeostatic processes regulate:
- Ratios of water and minerals
- Body temperature
- Chemical levels
The Formation of a Kidney Stone Vitamins and minerals provide our bodies with the nutrients essential to thrive. While our large intestine and salivary glands absorb most of these nutrients, excess quantities leave our bodies through sweat and urination.
Of course, minerals vary in size. Calcium, phosphorus, and sodium are considered stone-promoting compounds, because they form crystals in the urinary tract that pass through the bladder. Technically, most humans always have kidney stones; not all of them are painful.
This is where homeostasis comes in. Under homeostatic conditions, our kidney stones (or crystals, in technical terms) are so small, we urinate them without a second thought. On the other hand, an overabundance of stone-promoting compounds or a lack of fluids in the urinary system can cause crystals to build and combine in the urinary tract, forming a stone. These stones, while excruciatingly painful, usually pass naturally. Sometimes, however, due to location or size, they require surgery.
Running a Fever You are exposed to over a million germs and bacteria cells per day – more if you work in a school, barn, doctor’s office or other high-contact area. Thankfully, the human immune system – lymph nodes, enzymes, t-cells, and b-cells – protects your body from the diseases these organisms may cause.
But some germs are tougher than the rest. Whether as mild as the common cold or as severe as tuberculosis, some strains, or varieties of disease, overcome your first line of defense and make you their host.
Microscopic invasions definitely disrupt homeostasis, often enough that the body knows exactly how to restore normal conditions. The hypothalamus raises the body’s temperature, making your insides both unwelcome to and uninhabitable for any uninvited guests. Furthermore, your immune system records these diseases in its “memory,” making it more difficult for you to catch the same bug twice.
We normally think about homeostasis in terms of the whole body, but individual systems – that is, groups of organs – also maintain homeostatic conditions. Nonetheless, prolonged imbalance in just one system can negatively impact the homeostasis of the entire organism.
Examples of HomeostasisHomeostasis is a regulatory procedure. In the human body, homeostatic processes regulate:
- Ratios of water and minerals
- Body temperature
- Chemical levels
Vitamins and minerals provide our bodies with the nutrients essential to thrive. While our large intestine and salivary glands absorb most of these nutrients, excess quantities leave our bodies through sweat and urination.
Of course, minerals vary in size. Calcium, phosphorus, and sodium are considered stone-promoting compounds, because they form crystals in the urinary tract that pass through the bladder. Technically, most humans always have kidney stones; not all of them are painful.
This is where homeostasis comes in. Under homeostatic conditions, our kidney stones (or crystals, in technical terms) are so small, we urinate them without a second thought. On the other hand, an overabundance of stone-promoting compounds or a lack of fluids in the urinary system can cause crystals to build and combine in the urinary tract, forming a stone. These stones, while excruciatingly painful, usually pass naturally. Sometimes, however, due to location or size, they require surgery.
Running a FeverYou are exposed to over a million germs and bacteria cells per day – more if you work in a school, barn, doctor’s office or other high-contact area. Thankfully, the human immune system – lymph nodes, enzymes, t-cells, and b-cells – protects your body from the diseases these organisms may cause.
But some germs are tougher than the rest. Whether as mild as the common cold or as severe as tuberculosis, some strains, or varieties of disease, overcome your first line of defense and make you their host.
Microscopic invasions definitely disrupt homeostasis, often enough that the body knows exactly how to restore normal conditions. The hypothalamus raises the body’s temperature, making your insides both unwelcome to and uninhabitable for any uninvited guests. Furthermore, your immune system records these diseases in its “memory,” making it more difficult for you to catch the same bug twice.
