Homeostasis is the process by which a constant internal environment is maintained by our body. For instance, this means that in our body, temperature, blood sugar levels, etc must be kept within a narrow range even when we are in a freezing climate, or while doing vigorous exercise etc. All homeostatic control mechanisms have at least three interdependent components which are: The receptor responds to changes in the environment, for example, detects temperature change. Then, after the receptor senses a stimuli, it sends information to a ‘’control centre’’ to regulate the response.
The control centre which is in the brain decides a response to the stimuli. Then, the control centre sends signals to an effector such as muscles and organs. Negative feedback is a control system that occurs when an important variable such as pH of blood deviates from the certain limits which can cause reactions that will turn variable into a normal range. For e. g. negative feedback keeps our body temperature at a constant 37°C. If we get too hot, blood vessels in our skin vasodilate and we lose heat and cool down. If we get too cold, blood vessels in our skin vasoconstrict, we lose less heat making our body warm.
Homeostatic mechanisms help to control blood sugar levels in order to provide a constant supply of energy. When there is too much glucose in blood, pancreas produces insulin which enters blood. Then, insulin allows glucose to be absorbed by body cells causing blood glucose to reduce. When there is too little glucose in blood, insulin will not be produced leading to less glucose being absorbed by the body cells and blood sugar to increase. Diabetes is a disorder in which the blood glucose levels remain too high as our body is unable to break down glucose into energy. He/she will feel very thirsty and tired and lose weight.
Homeostasis mechanisms help to control body temperature in order to maintain the temperature at which enzymes work best, which is 37°C. When the body is too hot, sweat glands in the skin release more sweat removing heat energy from the skin causing vasodilation. When the body is too cold, muscles contract rapidly and we shiver needing energy and are released as heat causing vasoconstriction. Heat stroke is caused by high temperatures which cause an increase in sweating leading to dehydration. Its symptoms are rapid heartbeat, headache, unconsciousness. Hypothermia occurs when the core body temperature is below 35°C caused by extreme cold.
Its symptoms are violent shivering, confusion and weak pulse. Simple measures can help such as wearing appropriate warm clothing in cold weather. Homeostatic mechanism helps in the regulation of heart rate by the help of sympathetic which works when the body is working or going through fear or stress increasing the heart rate and parasympathetic nervous systems which is active during resting and contentment decreasing the heart rate. An abnormal change in the heart such as faster heart rate can cause Angina which is the sensation of a chest pain or squeezing occurred when arteries supplying the heart become hardened and narrowed.
Its symptoms are chest pain or discomfort, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath. This can be avoided by doing regular exercise and eating healthy diet. Our breathing rate is regulated with the help of homeostatic mechanisms by making sure that when we breathe in, right amount of oxygen goes in and when we breathe out, right amount of carbon dioxide goes out. For e. g. , when we do exercise that need extra oxygen and energy, the oxygen level decreases and the carbon dioxide level increases. The breathing rates will decrease if we end the activity with the help of the respiratory control.
Asthma can be caused by increased breathing rates in which there is swelling in the lungs that tightens the airways and makes it difficult for air to pass through them. Its symptoms are coughing, shortness of breath and feeling tightness in the chest. M2 and D2. In relation to blood glucose levels and exercise, our body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose storing it as glycogen in our liver and muscle cells. During exercise, when blood glucose levels decrease, we can experience weakness and dizziness.
Thus, our body system depends on glycogen stores to increase the blood glucose levels. We can maximize our glycogen stores by eating a high carbohydrate diet, consuming more fruits and vegetables. In relation to body temperature and exercise, our body converts food into energy while working out. It produces heat as a waste product which can make a rise in our body temperature. In order to maintain homeostasis, the blood vessels in our skin dilate to allow more blood flow to the surface of our body removing heat and causing sweat glands in the skin to release more sweat.
The evaporation of sweat and breathing out warm air also help to cool our body which will help to maintain a constant temperature. In relation to heart rate and exercise, our cardiovascular system plays a vital role in delivering blood and nutrients to our muscles controlling the body temperature. While we exercise, the muscles will need more oxygen which will cause increase in the amount of blood because our heart will be pumping and moving that blood from passive organs to active muscles.
Hormones will release to give sign for our heart rate to increase so that more oxygenated blood and nutrients will be transported to where we need them the most. In relation to breathing rate and exercise, when we exercise, our body will need a constant supply of oxygen in our body cells so that our muscles are active. Thus, our breathing rate becomes faster as we do more exercise. When we do heavy exercises, there will be more increase in breathing rate where we will pass carbon dioxide due to the process of metabolism. If there is an excess amount of carbon dioxide, lactic acid will weaken our performance.
We breathe out excess carbon dioxide for every extra breath of oxygen that we breathe in. Overall, homeostasis plays a vital role in helping our body systems and cells to function well, such as making sure that the enzymes in our body work best around 37°C. If there is decrease in temperature then the enzymes will automatically work slowly which will decrease the metabolic reaction of the body. The enzymes in our body will start to denature causing leading to fatal illnesses or even death. If the body is not regulating properly then it is due to lack of vitamins and minerals.
It is important that the body is remained stable to disregard the imbalance in homeostasis mechanism where various health problems can arise affecting an individual’s health and well-being. It is extremely necessary that the homeostasis is well-balanced so that our body system will function properly. P6. MeasurementTaken at restTaken after finishing the activityAfter 1 minute intervalAfter 2 minutes intervalAfter 3 minutes interval Pulse (beats per min)91 129 113 107 94 Breathing 16 per minute27 per minute23 per minute21 per minute18 per minute Blood pressure 01/66 112/74107/69105/70102/68 Temperature36. 1°C37. 2°C36. 8°C36. 5 °C36. 2°C M3.
While carrying out the practical investigation, in order to ensure the validity, I ensured that all the equipment I used were also well-functioning to avoid wrong measurements. I ensured that I did not miss or miscount when doing two movements as one count during the rise and fall of the chest. I took three readings such as after one minute interval, two minutes interval and three minutes of the exercise. I took the measurements before the start and after finishing the exercise.
I also measured the homeostatic mechanisms immediately after finishing the five minute exercise. While I was doing the exercise, even though it was just for five minutes, I realised that I became easily tired which showed that I had a poor fitness level. From the above data, the breathing rate at rest was 16 per minute increasing to 27 per minute at the end and the pulse rate at rest was 91 but at the end it rise up to 129 beats per minute. This happened because there was the need for both food and oxygen in the body and also to get more oxygen and get rid of carbon dioxide.
The readings immediately after the finishing the exercise showed a rise in both pulse and breathing rates compared to when I was at rest because muscular activity demands a massive increase in oxygen and glucose. There was also an increase in the body temperature after the end of the exercise compared to when my body temperature was at rest, it was 36. 1°C but after the exercise it was 37. 2°C. This was because when exercising, the rate at which the body makes energy rapidly increases known as the metabolic rate. Heat was produced during metabolism, also increasing the heat production.
Additionally, it shows that the blood pressure at rest was lower which was 101/66 compared to the blood pressure after my exercise which was 112/74 which is higher. This was because while I was exercising, the muscles needed more oxygen. The cardiovascular system delivers more blood to the working muscles and the diastolic blood pressure stays roughly the same or decrease slightly. Overall, I know that my data is accurate is because the equipments used were all the same and the time was counted fairly. I was able to carry out the step test with no distractions helping me to get accurate results.
The advantage of this test was the fact that minimal equipment was required. The test was also simple to set up and carry out. This type of fitness test can be easily conducted almost anywhere making easier to perform. However, the only disadvantage of this test was that I always needed assistance to stop the watch and ensure to keep up the correct time to complete the exercise. Therefore, in my opinion, it would have been better if I was able to carry out the whole exercise by myself as I would not have to depend on someone else. But because of the whole process of the test, I had no choice and get an assistance to conduct the activity.
