Regulating Body Temperature
- Body cells need to be kept at a constant temperature ⇒ enzymes in our body can only work within a certain range of temperatures.
- Changes in body temperature ⇒ may result in enzyme inactivation or even denaturation ⇒ explains why people suffering from high fever must consult a doctor, as high fevers can be fatal.
Regulating Water potential of Blood and Tissue Fluid
Composition of blood plasma and tissue fluid ⇒ must be kept within very narrow limits to ensure that they are kept at a constant water potential. ⇒ drastic changes in WP will affect cells.
- if WP is higher than normal, then cells may swell and burst
- if WP is lower than normal, cells may crenate Refer to Osmosis
Regulating Blood Glucose Concentration
Blood concentration must be kept within narrow limits
Scattered within pancreas ⇒ are groups of cells that are known as islets of Langerhans. ^acd2ad ⇒ they secrete hormones insulin and glucagon ⇒ are important in the regulation of blood glucose concentration in the body. ⇒ Body cells need glucose for cellular respiration. Aerobic Respiration ⇒ cellular respiration provides cells with energy to perform their vital activities. drastic change in blood glucose concentration can thus be dangerous.
Blood Normally contains about 70-90mg of glucose per 100 of blood. Glucose levels in your blood ⇒ rise after sugary meal and fall during vigorous physical activity or starvation.
Need for Homeostasis
- conditions in our body are constantly changing
- Such changes need to be prevented else chemical reactions in our body will be affected
- cells in our body need to be bathed in tissue fluid of correct pH and WP
- Composition of tissue fluid must be kept within narrow limits
- Eg: Body temperature must be kept at about 36.9 C as too high a temperature will result in inactivation of enzymes