Homeostasis, maintaining a steady-state internal environment, is a characteristi

Question

Homeostasis, maintaining a steady-state internal environment, is a characteristic of all living organisms. Choose three of the following physiological parameters and for each, describe how homeostasis is maintained in an organism of your choice. Be sure to indicate what animal you have chosen for each parameter. You may use the same animal or different animals for your tree descriptions. blood-glucose levels body temperature pH of the blood osmotic concentration of the blood neuron resting-membrane potential

Explanation / Answer

1. Blood glucose level

Glucose is the major source of energy in the human beings. Glucose is broken down to release energy rich moleculaes called ATP.

Maintaining the blood glucose level is essential so that adequate glucose molecules are available fo the cell functioning. Body uses a negative feed back mechanism for maintaining proper concentration of glucose in the blood.

Pancreas is an important organ involved in maintaining the concentration of glucose by secreting two hormones.

i) Insulin is one of the hormone secreted by pancreas. Whenever there is a rise in the glucose level insulin aids in absorbing of gluceose by the cells where it is used for cellular respiration. Excess glucose in converted to glycogen and stored in liver and kidneys.

ii) .When the glucose level falls down , another enzyme glucagon is secreted which converts the stored glycogen into glucose so that it can be used by the cells.

2. Body temperature

Maintaining constant body temperature is vital for all the organs to function normally in human beings and all other animals.

Skin is the most important organ in human body in restoring the body temperature whenever there is an increase or decrease in temperature level.

The structure of the skin is well adapted to maintain constant body temperature. It serves as an insulator for the body.

3. pH balance

Kidney and liver are helpful in maintaining and regulating the pH of the body in animals.

Constant pH level is important in the body so that all the hormonal and chemical reactions are carried out normally.

Kidney and liver function in eliminating excess acidic compounds from the body through excretion system as highly acidic body is fatal.

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