Examples of homeostasis in humans. The concept of homeostasis

The concept was introduced by the American psychologist W.B. Cannon in relation to any processes that change the original state or a series of states, initiating new processes aimed at restoring the original conditions. A mechanical homeostat is a thermostat. The term is used in physiological psychology to describe a number of complex mechanisms operating in the autonomic nervous system to regulate factors such as body temperature, biochemical composition, blood pressure, water balance, metabolism, etc. for example, a change in body temperature initiates a variety of processes such as shivering, increased metabolism, increasing or maintaining heat until normal temperature is reached. Examples of psychological theories of a homeostatic nature are the theory of balance (Heider, 1983), the theory of congruence (Osgood, Tannenbaum, 1955), the theory of cognitive dissonance (Festinger, 1957), the theory of symmetry (Newcomb, 1953), etc. As an alternative to the homeostatic approach, a heterostatic approach is proposed an approach that assumes the fundamental possibility of the existence of equilibrium states within a single whole (see heterostasis).

HOMEOSTASIS

Homeostasis) - maintaining balance between opposing mechanisms or systems; the basic principle of physiology, which should also be considered the basic law of mental behavior.

HOMEOSTASIS

homeostasis) The tendency of organisms to maintain their constant state. According to Cannon (1932), the originator of the term: "Organisms, composed of matter characterized by the highest degree of impermanence and instability, have somehow mastered methods of maintaining constancy and maintaining stability under conditions which should reasonably be regarded as absolutely destructive." Freud's PRINCIPLE OF PLEASURE - DISPLEASURE and Fechner's PRINCIPLE OF CONSTANCE that he used are usually considered as psychological concepts similar to the physiological concept of homeostasis, i.e. they presuppose a programmed tendency to maintain psychological TENSION at a constant optimal level, similar to the body's tendency to maintain constant blood chemistry, temperature, etc.

HOMEOSTASIS

a mobile equilibrium state of a certain system, maintained by its counteraction to external and internal factors that disturb the equilibrium. Maintaining the constancy of various physiological parameters of the body. The concept of homeostasis was originally developed in physiology to explain the constancy of the internal environment of the body and the stability of its basic physiological functions. This idea was developed by the American physiologist W. Cannon in the doctrine of the wisdom of the body as an open system that continuously maintains stability. Receiving signals about changes that threaten the system, the body turns on devices that continue to work until it can be returned to an equilibrium state, to the previous parameter values. The principle of homeostasis moved from physiology to cybernetics and other sciences, including psychology, acquiring a more general meaning as the principle of a systems approach and self-regulation based on feedback. The idea that every system strives to maintain stability was transferred to the interaction of the organism with the environment. This transfer is typical, in particular:

1) for neo-behaviorism, which believes that a new motor reaction is consolidated due to the liberation of the body from the need that disrupted its homeostasis;

2) for the concept of J. Piaget, which believes that mental development occurs in the process of balancing the organism with the environment;

3) for the field theory of K. Lewin, according to which motivation arises in a nonequilibrium “system of stresses”;

4) for Gestalt psychology, which notes that when the balance of a component of the mental system is disturbed, it strives to restore it. However, the principle of homeostasis, while explaining the phenomenon of self-regulation, cannot reveal the source of changes in the psyche and its activity.

HOMEOSTASIS

Greek homeios - similar, similar, statis - standing, immobility). A mobile but stable equilibrium of any system (biological, mental), due to its resistance to internal and external factors that disrupt this balance (see Cannon's thalamic theory of emotions. The principle of G. is widely used in physiology, cybernetics, psychology, it explains adaptive ability The body's mental health maintains optimal conditions for the functioning of the brain and nervous system in the process of life.

HOMEOSTASIS(IS)

from Greek homoios - similar + stasis - standing; letters, meaning "to be in the same state").

1. In the narrow (physiological) sense, G. - the processes of maintaining the relative constancy of the main characteristics of the internal environment of the body (for example, constancy of body temperature, blood pressure, blood sugar level, etc.) in a wide range of environmental conditions. An important role in G. is played by the joint activity of the vegetative system. s, hypothalamus and brain stem, as well as the endocrine system, with partly neurohumoral regulation of G. It is carried out “autonomously” from the psyche and behavior. The hypothalamus “decides” in case of which G. violation it is necessary to turn to higher forms of adaptation and trigger the mechanism of biological motivation of behavior (see Drive reduction hypothesis, Needs).

The term "G." introduced by Amer. physiologist Walter Cannon (Cannon, 1871-1945) in 1929, however, the concept of the internal environment and the concept of its constancy were developed much earlier than the French. physiologist Claude Bernard (Bernard, 1813-1878).

2. In a broad sense, the concept of "G." applied to a variety of systems (biocenoses, populations, individuals, social systems, etc.). (B.M.)

Homeostasis

homeostasis) Complex organisms, in order to survive and move freely in changing and often hostile environmental conditions, need to maintain their internal environment relatively constant. This inner consistency was called "G" by Walter B. Cannon. Cannon described his findings as examples of the maintenance of stable states in open systems. In 1926, he proposed the term "G" for such a stable state. and proposed a system of postulates concerning its nature, which was subsequently expanded in preparation for the publication of a review of homeostatic and regulatory mechanisms known at that time. The body, Cannon argued, through homeostatic reactions is able to maintain the stability of the intercellular fluid (fluid matrix), controlling and regulating it. body temperature, blood pressure and other parameters of the internal environment, maintaining which within certain limits is necessary for life. G. tj is maintained in relation to the levels of supply of substances necessary for the normal functioning of cells. The concept of G. proposed by Cannon appeared in the form of a set of provisions concerning the existence, nature and principles of self-regulating systems. He emphasized that complex living beings are open systems, formed from changing and unstable components, constantly subject to disturbing external influences due to this openness. Thus, these systems, constantly striving for change, must nevertheless maintain constancy relative to the environment in order to maintain conditions favorable to life. Correction in such systems must occur continuously. Therefore, G. characterizes a relatively rather than an absolutely stable state. The concept of an open system challenged all traditional ideas about an adequate unit of analysis for the organism. If the heart, lungs, kidneys and blood, for example, are parts of a self-regulating system, then their action or functions cannot be understood by studying each of them separately. Full understanding is only possible through knowledge of how each of these parts operates in conjunction with the others. The concept of an open system also challenges all traditional views of causation, proposing complex reciprocal determination instead of simple sequential or linear causation. Thus, G. has become a new perspective both for considering the behavior of various kinds of systems and for understanding people as elements of open systems. See also Adaptation, General Adaptation Syndrome, General Systems, Lens Model, The Question of the Relationship between Soul and Body R. Enfield

HOMEOSTASIS

the general principle of self-regulation of living organisms, formulated by Cannon in 1926. Perls strongly emphasizes the importance of this concept in his work, The Gestalt Approach and Eye Witness to Therapy, begun in 1950, completed in 1970, and published after his death in 1973.

Homeostasis

The process by which the body maintains balance in its internal physiological environment. Through homeostatic impulses, the urge to eat, drink and regulate body temperature occurs. For example, a decrease in body temperature initiates many processes (such as shivering) that help restore normal temperature. Thus, homeostasis initiates other processes that act as regulators and restore the optimal state. An analogue is a central heating system with thermostatic control. When the room temperature drops below the temperature set in the thermostat, it turns on the steam boiler, which pumps hot water into the heating system, raising the temperature. When the room temperature reaches normal levels, the thermostat turns off the steam boiler.

HOMEOSTASIS

homeostasis) is a physiological process of maintaining the constancy of the internal environment of the body (ed.), in which various parameters of the body (for example, blood pressure, body temperature, acid-base balance) are maintained in balance, despite changing environmental conditions. - Homeostatic.

Homeostasis

Word formation. Comes from the Greek. homoios - similar + stasis - immobility.

Specificity. The process through which relative constancy of the internal environment of the body is achieved (constancy of body temperature, blood pressure, blood sugar concentration). Neuropsychic homeostasis can be identified as a separate mechanism, which ensures the preservation and maintenance of optimal conditions for the functioning of the nervous system in the process of implementing various forms of activity.

HOMEOSTASIS

Literally translated from Greek it means the same state. American physiologist W.B. Cannon coined the term to refer to any process that changes an existing condition or set of circumstances and, as a result, initiates other processes that perform regulatory functions and restore the original state. The thermostat is a mechanical homeostat. This term is used in physiological psychology to refer to a number of complex biological mechanisms that operate through the autonomic nervous system, regulating factors such as body temperature, body fluids and their physical and chemical properties, blood pressure, water balance, metabolism, etc. For example, a decrease in body temperature initiates a series of processes such as shivering, piloerection, and increased metabolism, which cause and maintain a high temperature until normal temperature is reached.

HOMEOSTASIS

from Greek homoios – similar + stasis – state, immobility) – a type of dynamic equilibrium characteristic of complex self-regulating systems and consisting in maintaining parameters essential for the system within acceptable limits. The term "G." proposed by the American physiologist W. Cannon in 1929 to describe the state of the human body, animals and plants. Then this concept became widespread in cybernetics, psychology, sociology, etc. The study of homeostatic processes involves identifying: 1) parameters, significant changes in which disrupt the normal functioning of the system; 2) the limits of permissible changes in these parameters under the influence of external and internal environmental conditions; 3) a set of specific mechanisms that begin to function when the values of variables go beyond these boundaries (B. G. Yudin, 2001). Each conflict reaction of any of the parties when a conflict arises and develops is nothing more than the desire to preserve their G. The parameter, the change of which triggers the conflict mechanism, is the damage predicted as a consequence of the opponent’s actions. The dynamics of the conflict and the rate of its escalation are regulated by feedback: the reaction of one party to the conflict to the actions of the other party. Over the past 20 years, Russia has been developing as a system with lost, blocked or extremely weakened feedback connections. Therefore, the behavior of the state and society in the conflicts of this period, which destroyed the country’s civil society, is irrational. The application of G.'s theory to the analysis and regulation of social conflicts can significantly increase the effectiveness of the work of domestic conflictologists.

Homeostasis, homeostasis (homeostasis; Greek homoios similar, the same + stasis state, immobility), - the relative dynamic constancy of the internal environment (blood, lymph, tissue fluid) and the stability of basic physiological functions (circulation, respiration, thermoregulation, metabolism and etc.) of the human and animal body. Regulatory mechanisms that maintain the physiological state or properties of cells, organs and systems of the whole organism at an optimal level are called homeostatic.

As is known, a living cell is a mobile, self-regulating system. Its internal organization is supported by active processes aimed at limiting, preventing or eliminating shifts caused by various influences from the external and internal environment. The ability to return to the original state after a deviation from a certain average level caused by one or another “disturbing” factor is the main property of the cell. A multicellular organism is an integral organization, the cellular elements of which are specialized to perform various functions. Interaction within the body is carried out by complex regulatory, coordinating and correlating mechanisms with

participation of nervous, humoral, metabolic and other factors. Many individual mechanisms regulating intra- and intercellular relationships have, in some cases, mutually opposite (antagonistic) effects that balance each other. This leads to the establishment of a mobile physiological background (physiological balance) in the body and allows the living system to maintain relative dynamic constancy, despite changes in the environment and shifts that arise during the life of the organism.

The term “homeostasis” was proposed in 1929 by physiologist W. Cannon, who believed that the physiological processes that maintain stability in the body are so complex and diverse that it is advisable to combine them under the general name homeostasis. However, back in 1878, C. Bernard wrote that all life processes have only one goal - maintaining the constancy of living conditions in our internal environment. Similar statements are found in the works of many researchers of the 19th and first half of the 20th centuries. (E. Pfluger, S. Richet, Frederic (L.A. Fredericq), I.M. Sechenov, I.P. Pavlov, K.M. Bykov and others). The works of L.S. were of great importance for the study of the problem of homeostasis. Stern (with colleagues), devoted to the role of barrier functions that regulate the composition and properties of the microenvironment of organs and tissues.

The very idea of homeostasis does not correspond to the concept of stable (non-fluctuating) equilibrium in the body - the principle of equilibrium does not apply to

complex physiological and biochemical

processes occurring in living systems. It is also incorrect to contrast homeostasis with rhythmic fluctuations in the internal environment. Homeostasis in a broad sense covers issues of the cyclic and phase course of reactions, compensation, regulation and self-regulation of physiological functions, the dynamics of the interdependence of nervous, humoral and other components of the regulatory process. The boundaries of homeostasis can be rigid and flexible, changing depending on individual age, gender, social, professional and other conditions.

Of particular importance for the life of the body is the constancy of the composition of the blood - the fluid matrix of the body, as W. Cannon puts it. The stability of its active reaction (pH), osmotic pressure, ratio of electrolytes (sodium, calcium, chlorine, magnesium, phosphorus), glucose content, number of formed elements, and so on is well known. For example, blood pH, as a rule, does not go beyond 7.35-7.47. Even severe disorders of acid-base metabolism with pathology of acid accumulation in tissue fluid, for example in diabetic acidosis, have very little effect on the active blood reaction. Despite the fact that the osmotic pressure of blood and tissue fluid is subject to continuous fluctuations due to the constant supply of osmotically active products of interstitial metabolism, it remains at a certain level and changes only under certain severe pathological conditions.

Despite the fact that blood represents the general internal environment of the body, the cells of organs and tissues do not directly come into contact with it.

In multicellular organisms, each organ has its own internal environment (microenvironment), corresponding to its structural and functional characteristics, and the normal state of the organs depends on the chemical composition, physicochemical, biological and other properties of this microenvironment. Its homeostasis is determined by the functional state of histohematic barriers and their permeability in the directions blood→tissue fluid, tissue fluid→blood.

The constancy of the internal environment for the activity of the central nervous system is of particular importance: even minor chemical and physicochemical changes that occur in the cerebrospinal fluid, glia and pericellular spaces can cause a sharp disruption in the flow of vital processes in individual neurons or in their ensembles. A complex homeostatic system, including various neurohumoral, biochemical, hemodynamic and other regulatory mechanisms, is the system for ensuring optimal blood pressure levels. In this case, the upper limit of the blood pressure level is determined by the functionality of the baroreceptors of the body’s vascular system, and the lower limit is determined by the body’s blood supply needs.

The most advanced homeostatic mechanisms in the body of higher animals and humans include thermoregulation processes;

Homeostasis, its meaning

Homeostasis–This is the maintenance of relative constancy of the internal environment of the body. The internal environment of the body in which all its cells live is blood, lymph, and interstitial fluid.

Any living organism is exposed to a wide variety of environmental factors; in the same time Strictly constant conditions are required for vital processes to occur in cells. As a result, living organisms have developed various self-regulating systems that allow them to maintain a favorable internal environment, despite changes in external conditions. It is enough to remember all the adaptive reactions that the human body has. When we enter a dark room from the street, our eyes, thanks to automatic internal regulation, quickly adapt to the sharp decrease in illumination. Whether you work in the north in winter or sunbathe in the hot sand of the south in summer, in all cases your body temperature remains almost constant, changing by no more than a few fractions of a degree.

Another example. Blood pressure in the brain must be maintained at a certain level. If it drops, the person loses consciousness, and with a sharp increase in pressure due to rupture of the capillaries, a hemorrhage in the brain (the so-called “stroke”) can occur. With various changes in body position (vertical, horizontal, and even upside down), gravity changes the blood flow to the head; however, despite this, a complex of adaptive reactions maintains blood pressure in the brain at a strictly constant level that is favorable for brain cells. All these examples illustrate the body’s ability to maintain a constant internal environment with the help of special regulatory mechanisms; maintaining a constant internal environment is called homeostasis.

If any of the homeostatic mechanisms is disrupted, then a change in the living conditions of cells can have very serious consequences for the organism as a whole.

Thus, the internal environment of the body is characterized by relative constancy - homeostasis of various indicators, because any changes in it lead to disruption of the functions of cells and tissues of the body, especially highly specialized cells of the central nervous system. Such constant indicators of homeostasis include the temperature of the internal organs of the body, maintained within 36 - 37 ºС, the acid-base balance of the blood, characterized by pH = 7.4 - 7.35, osmotic pressure of the blood (7.6 - 7.8 atm) , hemoglobin concentration in the blood is 120 – 140 g/l, etc.

The degree of shift in homeostasis indicators due to significant fluctuations in environmental conditions or during hard work for most people is very small. For example, a long-term change in blood pH by just 0.1 - 0.2 can be fatal. However, in the general population there are certain individuals who have the ability to tolerate much larger shifts in indicators of the internal environment. In highly qualified runners, as a result of a large intake of lactic acid from skeletal muscles into the blood during running over medium and long distances, the blood pH can decrease to values of 7.0 and even 6.9. Only a few people in the world were able to climb to a height of about 8,800 m above sea level (to the top of Everest) without an oxygen device, i.e. exist and move in conditions of extreme lack of oxygen in the air and, accordingly, in the tissues of the body. This ability is determined by the innate characteristics of a person - the so-called genetic reaction norm, which, even for fairly constant functional indicators of the body, has wide individual differences.

In his book The Wisdom of the Body, he proposed this term as a name for "the coordinated physiological processes that maintain most of the body's steady states." Subsequently, this term extended to the ability to dynamically maintain the constancy of its internal state of any open system. However, the idea of the constancy of the internal environment was formulated back in 1878 by the French scientist Claude Bernard.

General information

The term "homeostasis" is most often used in biology. Multicellular organisms need to maintain a constant internal environment to exist. Many ecologists are convinced that this principle also applies to the external environment. If the system is unable to restore its balance, it may eventually cease to function.

Complex systems - such as the human body - must have homeostasis in order to remain stable and exist. These systems not only must strive to survive, they also have to adapt to environmental changes and evolve.

Properties of homeostasis

Homeostatic systems have the following properties:

Instability system: testing how best to adapt.
Striving for balance: The entire internal, structural and functional organization of systems contributes to maintaining balance.
Unpredictability: The resulting effect of a certain action can often be different from what was expected.

Regulation of the amount of micronutrients and water in the body - osmoregulation. Carried out in the kidneys.
Removal of waste products from the metabolic process - excretion. It is carried out by exocrine organs - kidneys, lungs, sweat glands and gastrointestinal tract.
Regulation of body temperature. Lowering temperature through sweating, various thermoregulatory reactions.
Regulation of blood glucose levels. Mainly carried out by the liver, insulin and glucagon secreted by the pancreas.

It is important to note that although the body is in equilibrium, its physiological state can be dynamic. Many organisms exhibit endogenous changes in the form of circadian, ultradian, and infradian rhythms. Thus, even when in homeostasis, body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate and most metabolic indicators are not always at a constant level, but change over time.

Homeostasis mechanisms: feedback

When a change in variables occurs, there are two main types of feedback to which the system responds:

Negative feedback, expressed as a reaction in which the system responds in a way that reverses the direction of change. Since feedback serves to maintain the constancy of the system, it allows homeostasis to be maintained.
- For example, when the concentration of carbon dioxide in the human body increases, a signal comes to the lungs to increase their activity and exhale more carbon dioxide.
- Thermoregulation is another example of negative feedback. When body temperature rises (or falls), thermoreceptors in the skin and hypothalamus register the change, triggering a signal from the brain. This signal, in turn, causes a response - a decrease in temperature (or increase).
Positive feedback, which is expressed in increasing changes in a variable. It has a destabilizing effect and therefore does not lead to homeostasis. Positive feedback is less common in natural systems, but it also has its uses.
- For example, in nerves, a threshold electrical potential causes the generation of a much larger action potential. Blood clotting and events at birth can be cited as other examples of positive feedback.

Stable systems require combinations of both types of feedback. Whereas negative feedback allows a return to a homeostatic state, positive feedback is used to move to an entirely new (and perhaps less desirable) state of homeostasis, a situation called “metastability.” Such catastrophic changes can occur, for example, with an increase in nutrients in clear-water rivers, leading to a homeostatic state of high eutrophication (algae overgrowth of the riverbed) and turbidity.

Ecological homeostasis

In disturbed ecosystems, or subclimax biological communities - such as the island of Krakatoa, after a large volcanic eruption - the state of homeostasis of the previous forest climax ecosystem was destroyed, as was all life on that island. Krakatoa, in the years following the eruption, went through a chain of ecological changes in which new species of plants and animals succeeded each other, leading to biodiversity and the resulting climax community. Ecological succession on Krakatoa took place in several stages. The complete chain of successions leading to climax is called preseria. In the Krakatoa example, the island developed a climax community with eight thousand different species recorded in , one hundred years after the eruption destroyed life on it. The data confirm that the situation remains in homeostasis for some time, with the emergence of new species very quickly leading to the rapid disappearance of old ones.

The case of Krakatoa and other disturbed or intact ecosystems shows that initial colonization by pioneer species occurs through positive feedback reproductive strategies in which species disperse, producing as many offspring as possible, but with little investment in the success of each individual. . In such species there is rapid development and equally rapid collapse (for example, through an epidemic). As an ecosystem approaches climax, such species are replaced by more complex climax species that, through negative feedback, adapt to the specific conditions of their environment. These species are carefully controlled by the potential carrying capacity of the ecosystem and follow a different strategy - producing fewer offspring, the reproductive success of which is invested more energy in the microenvironment of its specific ecological niche.

Development begins with the pioneer community and ends with the climax community. This climax community forms when flora and fauna come into balance with the local environment.

Such ecosystems form heterarchies, in which homeostasis at one level contributes to homeostatic processes at another complex level. For example, the loss of leaves from a mature tropical tree provides space for new growth and enriches the soil. Equally, the tropical tree reduces light access to lower levels and helps prevent invasion by other species. But trees also fall to the ground and the development of the forest depends on the constant change of trees and the cycle of nutrients carried out by bacteria, insects, and fungi. Similarly, such forests contribute to ecological processes such as the regulation of microclimates or hydrological cycles of an ecosystem, and several different ecosystems may interact to maintain homeostasis of river drainage within a biological region. Bioregional variability also plays a role in the homeostatic stability of a biological region, or biome.

Biological homeostasis

Homeostasis acts as a fundamental characteristic of living organisms and is understood as maintaining the internal environment within acceptable limits.

The internal environment of the body includes body fluids - blood plasma, lymph, intercellular substance and cerebrospinal fluid. Maintaining the stability of these fluids is vital for organisms, while its absence leads to damage to the genetic material.

Homeostasis in the human body

Various factors affect the ability of body fluids to support life. These include parameters such as temperature, salinity, acidity and concentration of nutrients - glucose, various ions, oxygen, and waste - carbon dioxide and urine. Since these parameters influence the chemical reactions that keep the body alive, there are built-in physiological mechanisms to maintain them at the required level.

Homeostasis cannot be considered the cause of these unconscious adaptation processes. It should be perceived as a general characteristic of many normal processes acting together, and not as their root cause. Moreover, there are many biological phenomena that do not fit this model - for example, anabolism.

Other areas

The concept of “homeostasis” is also used in other areas.

An actuary can talk about risk homeostasis, in which, for example, people who have non-stick brakes on their cars are not safer than those who do not, because these people unconsciously compensate for the safer car with riskier driving. This happens because some holding mechanisms - for example, fear - cease to function.

Sociologists and psychologists can talk about stress homeostasis- the desire of a population or individual to remain at a certain stress level, often artificially causing stress if the “natural” level of stress is not enough.

Examples

Thermoregulation
- Skeletal muscle tremors may begin if the body temperature is too low.
- Another type of thermogenesis involves the breakdown of fats to produce heat.
- Sweating cools the body through evaporation.
Chemical regulation
- The pancreas secretes insulin and glucagon to control blood glucose levels.
- The lungs receive oxygen and release carbon dioxide.
- The kidneys produce urine and regulate the level of water and a number of ions in the body.

Many of these organs are controlled by hormones from the hypothalamic-pituitary axis.

Definition

Let us define what this property of a living organism is. Initially, this term was used to describe the ability to maintain a constant internal environment. Scientists assumed that this process affects only the intercellular fluid, blood and lymph.

It is their constancy that allows the body to maintain a stable state. But later it was discovered that such an ability is inherent in any open system.

The definition of homeostasis has changed. Now this is the name for self-regulation of an open system, which consists of maintaining dynamic equilibrium through the implementation of coordinated reactions. Thanks to them, the system maintains relatively constant parameters necessary for normal life.

This term began to be used not only in biology. It has found application in sociology, psychology, medicine and other sciences. Each of them has its own interpretation of this concept, but they have a common essence - constancy.

Characteristics

To understand what exactly is called homeostasis, you need to find out what the characteristics of this process are.

The phenomenon has such features as:

Striving for balance. All parameters of an open system must be in accordance with each other.
Identifying opportunities for adaptation. Before the parameters are changed, the system must determine whether it is possible to adapt to the changed living conditions. This happens through analysis.
Unpredictability of results. Regulation of indicators does not always lead to positive changes.

The phenomenon under consideration is a complex process, the implementation of which depends on various circumstances. Its occurrence is determined by the properties of an open system and the peculiarities of its operating conditions.

Application in biology

This term is used not only in relation to living beings. It is used in various fields. To better understand what homeostasis is, you need to find out what meaning biologists put into it, since this is the area in which it is used most often.

This science attributes this property to all creatures without exception, regardless of their structure. It is characteristically unicellular and multicellular. In unicellular organisms it manifests itself in maintaining a constant internal environment.

In organisms with a more complex structure, this feature concerns individual cells, tissues, organs and systems. Among the parameters that must be constant are body temperature, blood composition, and enzyme content.

In biology, homeostasis is not only the preservation of constancy, but also the ability of the body to adapt to changing environmental conditions.

Biologists distinguish two types of creatures:

Conformational, in which organismal characteristics are preserved, regardless of conditions. These include warm-blooded animals.
Regulatory, responding to changes in the external environment and adapting to them. These include amphibians.

If there are violations in this area, recovery or adaptation is not observed. The body becomes vulnerable and may die.

How does it happen in humans?

The human body consists of a large number of cells that are interconnected and form tissues, organs, and organ systems. Due to external influences, changes can occur in each system and organ, which entail changes in the entire body.

But for normal functioning, the body must maintain optimal features. Accordingly, after any impact it needs to return to its original state. This happens due to homeostasis.

This property affects parameters such as:

temperature,
nutrient content
acidity,
blood composition,
waste removal.

All these parameters affect the condition of the person as a whole. The normal course of chemical reactions that contribute to the preservation of life depends on them. Homeostasis allows you to restore previous indicators after any impact, but is not the cause of adaptive reactions. This property is a general characteristic of a large number of processes operating simultaneously.

For blood

Blood homeostasis is one of the main characteristics affecting the viability of a living being. Blood is its liquid basis, since it is found in every tissue and every organ.

Thanks to it, individual parts of the body are supplied with oxygen, and harmful substances and metabolic products are removed.

If there are disturbances in the blood, then the performance of these processes deteriorates, which affects the functioning of organs and systems. All other functions depend on the constancy of its composition.

This substance must maintain the following parameters relatively constant:

acidity level;
osmotic pressure;
plasma electrolyte ratio;
amount of glucose;
cellular composition.

Due to the ability to maintain these indicators within normal limits, they do not change even under the influence of pathological processes. Minor fluctuations are inherent in them, and this does not harm. But they rarely exceed normal values.

This is interesting! If disturbances occur in this area, the blood parameters do not return to their original position. This indicates the presence of serious problems. The body becomes unable to maintain balance. As a result, there is a risk of complications.

Use in medicine

This concept is widely used in medicine. In this area, its essence is almost similar to its biological meaning. This term in medical science covers compensatory processes and the body's ability to self-regulate.

This concept includes the relationships and interactions of all components involved in the implementation of the regulatory function. It covers metabolic processes, breathing, and blood circulation.

The difference between the medical term is that science considers homeostasis as an auxiliary factor in treatment. In diseases, body functions are disrupted due to damage to organs. This affects the entire body. It is possible to restore the activity of the problem organ with the help of therapy. The ability in question contributes to increasing its effectiveness. Thanks to the procedures, the body itself directs efforts to eliminate pathological phenomena, trying to restore normal parameters.

In the absence of opportunities for this, an adaptation mechanism is activated, which manifests itself in reducing the load on the damaged organ. This allows you to reduce damage and prevent active progression of the disease. We can say that such a concept as homeostasis in medicine is considered from a practical point of view.

Wikipedia

The meaning of any term or characteristic of any phenomenon is most often learned from Wikipedia. She examines this concept in some detail, but in the simplest sense: she calls it the body’s desire for adaptation, development and survival.

This approach is explained by the fact that in the absence of this property, it will be difficult for a living creature to adapt to changing environmental conditions and develop in the right direction.

And if disturbances occur in the functioning, the creature will simply die, since it will not be able to return to its normal state.

Important! In order for the process to be carried out, it is necessary that all organs and systems work harmoniously. This will ensure that all vital parameters remain within normal limits. If a particular indicator cannot be regulated, this indicates problems with the implementation of this process.

Examples

Examples of this phenomenon will help you understand what homeostasis is in the body. One of them is maintaining a constant body temperature. Some changes are inherent in it, but they are minor. A serious increase in temperature is observed only in the presence of diseases. Another example is blood pressure readings. A significant increase or decrease in indicators occurs due to health problems. At the same time, the body strives to return to normal characteristics.

Useful video

Let's sum it up

The property being studied is one of the key ones for normal functioning and preservation of life; it is the ability to restore optimal indicators of vital parameters. Changes in them can occur under the influence of external influences or pathologies. Thanks to this ability, living beings can resist external factors.

Examples of homeostasis in humans. The concept of homeostasis

HOMEOSTASIS

HOMEOSTASIS

HOMEOSTASIS

HOMEOSTASIS

HOMEOSTASIS(IS)

Homeostasis

HOMEOSTASIS

Homeostasis

HOMEOSTASIS

Homeostasis

HOMEOSTASIS

HOMEOSTASIS

Homeostasis, its meaning

General information

Properties of homeostasis

Homeostasis mechanisms: feedback

Ecological homeostasis

Biological homeostasis

Homeostasis in the human body

Other areas

Examples

see also

See what “Homeostasis” is in other dictionaries:

Definition

Characteristics

Application in biology

How does it happen in humans?

For blood

Use in medicine

Wikipedia

Examples

Useful video

Let's sum it up