Is this homeostasis

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When the bodys internal environment is in a state of balance? Stable? Near stable?

How would i give an example of homeostasis. Ive heard temperature is an example. But why? I know it maintains homeostasis but why is it an example of homeostasis? Shouldnt it be an example of maintaining or going back to a stable internal environment?

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Specializes in ICU.

I see from your previous posts that you're a pre-nursing student, correct? And that you've asked this question several times today and this week already...did those answers not help you? What specifically do you want explained?

Have you taken physiology yet? If so, you might want to refer to your textbook or notes and see if that helps you.

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Specializes in cardiology/oncology/MICU.

That is a good question. Homeostasis is acheived through multiple adjustments made by the various systems of the body. A good example of one of those adjustments can be seen with the respiratory system and its effort to maintain optimum pH. If gas exchange is compromised by severe pnuemonia, pH begins to go down due to CO2 retention. Your body will make you breath more rapidly and also release additional bicarb into the blood which involves the renal system. This is what I think:cool:

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Specializes in CVICU.

I don't mean to be unhelpful, but didn't googling the word "homeostasis" yield any usable information?

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That is a good question. Homeostasis is acheived through multiple adjustments made by the various systems of the body. A good example of one of those adjustments can be seen with the respiratory system and its effort to maintain optimum pH. If gas exchange is compromised by severe pnuemonia, pH begins to go down due to CO2 retention. Your body will make you breath more rapidly and also release additional bicarb into the blood which involves the renal system. This is what I think:cool:

Thanks! I understand now finally. My textbook had an error, my teacher just notified us too. I thought homeostasis was

"the working of various systems in the body to maintain homeostasis"

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I see from your previous posts that you're a pre-nursing student, correct? And that you've asked this question several times today and this week already...did those answers not help you? What specifically do you want explained?

Have you taken physiology yet? If so, you might want to refer to your textbook or notes and see if that helps you.

Thanks!

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Specializes in ICU.

Here's a nice link with a short lesson on homeostasis. http://www.biologyreference.com/Ho-La/Homeostasis.html

Here's the section on temperature, since you mentioned that specifically giving you problems:

If temperature rises too high, this is sensed by specialized neurons in the hypothalamus of the brain. They signal other nerve centers, which in turn send signals to the blood vessels of the skin. As these blood vessels dilate, more blood flows close to the body surface and excess heat radiates from the body. If this is not enough to cool the body back to its set point, the brain activates sweating. Evaporation of sweat from the skin has a strong cooling effect, as we feel when we are sweaty and stand in front of a fan.

If the blood temperature falls too low, on the other hand, this is also sensed by the hypothalamus and signals are sent to the cutaneous arteries (those supplying the skin) to constrict them. Warm blood is then retained deeper in the body and less heat is lost from the surface. If this is inadequate, then the brain activates shivering. Each muscle tremor in shivering releases heat energy and helps warm the body back toward its 37 degrees Celsius set point.

In both cases, specialized neurons sense the abnormal body temperature and activate corrective negative feedback loops that return the temperature to normal. As a result, body temperature seldom goes more than0 .5 degrees Celsius above or below its set point.

Basically, through homeostatic mechanisms, the body corrects its temperature when it rises or falls outside of the desired range. When it does this well, homeostasis is achieved. :)

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Specializes in ICU Surgical Trauma.

The body maintains a temperature of 98.6 give or take a point. This is an example of the body maintaining homeostasis. If you can't understand that then try a different career.

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Here's a nice link with a short lesson on homeostasis. http://www.biologyreference.com/Ho-La/Homeostasis.html

Here's the section on temperature, since you mentioned that specifically giving you problems:

Basically, through homeostatic mechanisms, the body corrects its temperature when it rises or falls outside of the desired range. When it does this well, homeostatis is achieved. :)

Yes thanks again! Negative feedback right Its amazing how the body works wow! Makes you think differently and rationally. I couldn't understand before but meds helped and you helped most.

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The body maintains a temperature of 98.6 give or take a point. This is an example of the body maintaining homeostasis. If you can't understand that then try a different career.

A first grader could understand that, but thats not what I was asking. And I get it now, sometimes the book is wrong. Honestly, a first grader can read, you learn to read before posting.

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