Cheatography
https://cheatography.com
a cheat sheet for physiology covering the topic of homeostasis
This is a draft cheat sheet. It is a work in progress and is not finished yet.
Key Concepts
Homeostasis |
- the maintenance of a stable internal environment despite external changes |
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Components of a homeostatic system |
- Sensor (Receptor): Detects changes in the environment (e.g., thermoreceptors). |
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-Integrator (Control Center): Compares the detected change to a set point (e.g., hypothalamus). |
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-Effector: Produces a response to correct deviations (e.g., sweat glands, muscles). |
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Negative Feedback loops |
- Counteracts changes from the set point. |
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- Example: Thermoregulation – if body temp rises, mechanisms lower it. |
Positive Feedback Loops |
- Amplify changes rather than reverse them. |
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- Example: Childbirth, oxytocin increases contractions. |
Set Points |
- Optimal values for physiological parameters (e.g., 98.6°F for body temperature). |
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- Can be influenced by circadian rhythms, age, or disease. |
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Physiological Parameters
Parameter |
Normal Range |
Homeostatic Effectors |
Body Temperature |
~37°C (98.6°F) |
Sweat glands, muscles |
Blood pH |
7.35–7.45 |
Respiratory & renal |
Blood glucose |
70–110 mg/dL |
Insulin, glucagon |
Blood Pressure |
~120/80 mmHg |
Heart rate, vessel diameter |
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