Why is homeostasis important to organisms?
1 Answer
All metabolic processes can only take place in a very specific physical and chemical environment. Homeostasis is the regulation of this internal environment.
Explanation:
Homeostat are energy consuming physiological mechanisms.
Homeostasis is the property of a system in which a variable is actively regulated to remain very nearly constant. Each of these variables is controlled by a separate homeostat ( regulator ) which together maintains life.
Core Body Temperature Homeostat
Mammals have the ability to control their core temperature. When core body temperature falls , behavioural changes are set in motion. The blood flow is reduced to a minimum via sympathetic nerves, which constrict the limb arteries. The metabolic rate of the body is increased.
Certain physiological homeostats in humans are :
1) blood glucose homeostat
2) plasma ionised calcium homeostat
3) blood partial pressure of oxygen and carbon dioxide homeostat.
4) blood oxygen content homeostat
5) arterial blood pressure homeostat
6) extra cellular sodium concentration homeostat
7) extra cellular potassium concentration homeostat
8) volume of body water homeostat
9) extra cellular fluid pH homeostat.
Many diseases are the result of the failure of one or more homeostats. Malfunction of a homeostat causes severe diseases , which can be fatal if not treated.
For example type I diabetes mellitus, occurs when the blood glucose homeostat ceases to function because the beta cells of the pancreatic islets are destroyed.
