Analysis of Homeostatic Mechanisms in Maintaining Body Temperature

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Q1. An important aspect of homeostasis is maintaining a normal body temperature.
Describe the homeostatic feedback system (i.e. stimulus- receptors- control centre-
effectors- response, series of steps) that would be activated in response to an elevated
body temperature.
Answer)
Homeostasis is the process of human body that enables the body to maintain the
metabolic equilibrium to compensate for disruptive environmental changes externally. It
is considered as the physiological ability of the human beings and other higher order
animals to coordinate to internal stability as per the responses from external world
(Elaine., 2018). An important aspect of body homeostasis is maintenance of body
temperature during changes in external environment. This is done by homeostasis
feedback loop mechanism. Body temperature is regulated by the negative feedback
mechanism. The negative feedback loops are pushed to oppose the stimulus and adjust
the body cells as per the stable rates. The mechanism of negative feedback loop is
aggravated or triggered when the elevation in body temperature is detected. The
sensors primarily the nerve endings and cells in the body detect elevated body
temperature and relay this information to the temperature control regulatory system in
brain (Elaine., 2018). The control system present in brain analyzes the information and
activates the effectors. These effectors are the structure in human body that are set to
help the feedback mechanism lower down the body temperature by producing different
secretions and effects for example the sweat glands in the body are effectors that
secrete sweat in order to lower the body temperature internally. This is normal negative
feedback mechanism that occurs when the body temperature rises above normal range.
To understand this better and in depth it is stated that when the body temperature rises
the blood vessels dilate, this effects in heat loss to the environment through sweating,
secretion of fluids (Elaine., 2018). As the fluids evaporate the hat from the body is lost in
the form and the body temperature reduces eventually. Once the body attains its normal
body temperature the mechanism stops and the secretion from effectors that aids in
reduction of temperature also stops working (Elaine., 2018). This is not only the
scenario in case of fever but whenever the body temperature rises due to excessive
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environmental stimuli and influencing factors the feedback mechanism works to
compensate and produce effective relieving factors to reduce the heat internally. Same
as when the person exercises the body heat increases and temperature rises but as the
negative loops are triggered the body starts to sweat and secrete fluids that help in
maintaining the body temperature and reduces the excessive heat produced
(Romanovsky., 2014).
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REFERENCES
Elaine, N., MARIEB, H., & KATJA, N. (2018). Human Anatomy & Physiology Plus
Pearson Masteringanatomy & Physiology with Pearson... Etext, Global Edition.
PEARSON EDUCATION Limited.
Romanovsky, A. A. (2014). Skin temperature: its role in thermoregulation. Acta
physiologica, 210(3), 498-507.
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