What is the concept of homeostasis?

Answer 1

I am currently in a Anatomy and Physiology class I am taking for college at LSU. This is the first question in the first class in the first chapter.

Homeostasis in a layman's term is the idea that the internal environment of a cell is kept in a constant state (temp, ph, salinity, ion concentration etc) by the self regulating processes of the proteins in the cell. The lack of balance in cells is exhibited as disease. There are many internal biochemical actions going on to maintain this normal state all the time.

Therefore a cell wants to stay in a happy, healthy place and the processes by which it maintains its happy place are acting to maintain this state of Homeostasis. Generally it can be referred to above the cellular level in whole organisms or organ systems.

It can be seen on a cellular level or a whole organism level. Consider when you are bleeding your body takes steps to stop the bleeding by raising blood pressure and clotting and inflammation and the pain receptors alert you and you may even get a bandaid. When you are ill your body is exibiting a lack of balance through variation in your normal state. A fever, a chill, throwing up etc.

Answer 2

Homeostasis is the property of an open system, especially living organisms, to regulate its internal environment to maintain a stable, constant condition, by means of multiple dynamic equilibrium adjustments, controlled by interrelated regulation mechanisms. The term was coined in 1932 by Walter Cannon from the Greek homoios (same, like, resembling) and stasis (to stand, posture).The term is most often used in the sense of biological homeostasis. Multicellular organisms require a homeostatic internal environment, in order to live; some ecologists believe this principle also applies to the global environment. Many ecological, biological, and social systems are homeostatic. They oppose change to maintain equilibrium. If the system does not succeed in reestablishing its balance, it may ultimately lead the system to stop functioning.

Complex systems, such as a human body, must have homeostasis to maintain stability and to survive. These systems do not only have to endure to survive; they must adapt themselves and evolve to modifications of the environment.

Answer 3

Basic answer.....The prefix ****....means the SAME.....the idea of homeostasis is the idea that living cells keep things the same...same temp, same water levels, ect.

Answer 4

It basically deals with the way an organism maintains internal balance of fluids, chemicals, hormones, etc.