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Homeostasis
Anatomy
Question | Answer |
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homeostasis | the body's ability to maintain relatively stable internal conditions even though the outside world is continuously changing; dynamic state of equilibrium |
three components of all homeostatic control mechanisms | receptor, control center, and effector |
receptor | a type of sensor that monitor s and responds to changes in the environment, responds to changes (stimuli) by sending information to the second component |
afferent pathway | where information from the receptor flows to the control center |
control center | determines the level at which a variable is to be maintained, analyzes the information it receives and determines the response or course of action |
effector | provides the means for the control centers response to the stimulus |
efferent pathway | where information from the control center flows to the effector |
negative feedback | the net effect of the response to the stimulus is to either shut off the original stimulus or reduce its intensity |
positive feedback | increase the original disturbance and to push the variable farther from its original value. Blood clotting or birthing a child |
homeostatic imbalance | a disturbance or change in homeostasis that effects function |