Homeostasis in mammals

Homeostasis and its Importance

Homeostasis refers to the maintenance of a constant internal environment despite changes in internal and external conditions.
Homeostasis in mammals involves numerous body systems such as the nervous and endocrine systems.
Key homeostatic properties in mammals include body temperature, blood glucose concentration, water balance, and chemical composition of blood.

Regulatory Mechanisms

Regulatory mechanisms in homeostasis often involve negative feedback loops, which work to bring the system back to its set point once a deviation is detected.
In some cases, positive feedback loops are employed, which amplify a particular physiological response.

Body Temperature Regulation (Thermoregulation)

The hypothalamus in the brain functions as the body’s thermostat.
It receives signals from thermoreceptors located in the skin, brain, and other organs to detect changes in body temperature.
Body temperature is regulated through various mechanisms including vasodilation, vasoconstriction, sweating, shivering, and behaviour modifications.

Blood Glucose Regulation

Glucose levels in the blood are regulated by the hormones insulin and glucagon, released by the pancreas.
Insulin is released in response to high blood glucose levels after eating, stimulating glucose uptake in cells and conversion of glucose into glycogen (glycogenesis) in the liver.
Glucagon is released when blood glucose levels are low, promoting the conversion of glycogen into glucose (glycogenolysis) in the liver, and synthesis of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources (gluconeogenesis).

Water Balance and Osmoregulation

The balance of water and solutes in the body is maintained by the kidneys.
The hormone ADH (anti-diuretic hormone) is released by the pituitary gland when blood is too concentrated, causing the kidneys to reabsorb more water and produce more concentrated urine.
In contrast, when the body is over-hydrated, less ADH is released, leading to the production of dilute urine.

That concludes points in homeostasis in mammals. Please ensure you understand the function of each organ involved in these processes and the hormones that influence them. For bonus points, understand the potential consequences when these mechanisms fail, such as in diseases like diabetes.