THE CORRELATION OF CONTROLLING SYSTEMS WITH HOMEOSTASIS AND METABOLISM ALWI SHAHAB

BLOC 6 MARCH 2011

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Explain that the body is organized as a functional hierarchy from the cell to tissues to organs to body systems to the individual. Describe how the cell is the basic unit of life, and list its fundamental requirements to survive. The ultimate objective of this complexity is to maintain a stabile internal environment (=homeostasis). Describe the general mechanisms by which homeostasis is achieved. Establish how a breakdown in homeostatic mechanisms can result in sickness or disease.

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Living systems consist of a hierarchy of complexity, starting with the basic unit of all life the cell. Many cells of similar structure and function form a tissue. Different tissues form an organ and different organs form a body system. Each body system has one or more functions (e.g., our integumentary system reduces water loss and protects us from infection). The eleven body systems work together to become an individual.

The eleven body systems : 1. Nervous System 2. Skeletal system 3. Muscular system 4. Integumentary system 5. Circulatory system 6. Respiratory system 7. Digestive system 8. Excretory system 9. Endocrine system 10. Reproductive system 11. Lymphatic/ Immune system

Cell survival depends upon some basic requirements, such as : - consumption of oxygen, - release of carbon dioxide and nitrogenous waste, - breakdown of nutrients, - maintenance of ionic equilibria, - an ability to respond to local extracelluar change, - and in some cases cell division.
These cellular requirements are reflected in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the waste we excrete.

A Stable Internal Environment Is Essential for Normal Cell Function

Fluid compartments in the body.

The body's fluids, is about 60% of the total body weight, can be partitioned into 2 major compartments : - the intracellular compartment - the extracellular compartment.

The intracellular compartment, 40% of the body's weight, is primarily a solution of potassium, other ions, and proteins. The extracellular compartment, 20% of the body weight, is comprised of the interstitial fluids, plasma, and other fluids, such as mucus and digestive juices, is primarily composed of NaCl and NaHCO3.

The living cells of our body, surrounded by an internal environment (extracellular fluid), communicate with the external world through this medium. Exchanges of matter and energy between the body and the external environment (indicated by arrows) occur via : - the gastrointestinal tract, - kidneys, - lungs, - and skin (including the specialized sensory organs).

For optimal cell, tissue, and organ function , several facets of the internal environment must be maintained within narrow limits These include to : (1) Oxygen and carbon dioxide tensions, (2) Concentrations of glucose and other metabolites, (3) Osmotic pressure, (4) Concentrations of hydrogen, potassium, calcium, and magnesium ions, and (5) Temperature

Homeostasis Is the Maintenance of Steady States in the Body by Coordinated Physiological Mechanisms

Homeostasis in a general sense refers to stability, balance or equilibrium.

Maintaining a stable internal environment requires constant monitoring and adjustments as conditions change. This adjusting of physiological systems within the body is called homeostatic regulation.

Homeostatic regulation involves three parts or mechanisms: 1) the receptor, 2) the control center, 3) the effector.

Three Basic Components:

1.

Receptor

detects change in a variable (stimulus/stress) sends input (information) to a control center

2.

Control Center

assesses input; sends output to effector(s)

3.

Effector

causes response, i.e., an effect which is triggered by output

For example : Our bodies control body temperature in a similar way. The brain is the control center

The receptor is our body's temperature sensors,

And the effector is our blood vessels and sweat glands in our skin.

Pathways That Alter Homeostasis :

A variety of homeostatic mechanisms maintain the internal environment within tolerable limits.
Either homeostasis is maintained through a series of control mechanisms, or the body suffers various illnesses or disease.

When the cells in your body begin to malfunction, the homeostatic balance becomes disrupted. Eventually this leads to disease or cell malfunction. Disease and cellular malfunction can be caused in two basic ways: - deficiency (cells not getting all they need) - toxicity (cells being poisoned by things they do not need).

When homeostasis is interrupted in your cells, there are pathways to correct or worsen the problem.
In addition to the internal control mechanisms, there are external influences based primarily on lifestyle choices and environmental exposures that influence our body's ability to maintain cellular health.

1. Nutrition: If our diet is lacking in a specific vitamin or mineral, our cells will function poorly, possibly resulting in a disease condition. 2. Toxins: Any substance that interferes with cellular function, causing cellular malfunction. This is done through a variety of ways; chemical, plant, insecticides, and or bites.

3. Psychological:

Our thoughts and emotions cause chemical changes to take place either for better as with meditation, or worse as with stress.
4. Physical: Physical maintenance is essential for our cells and bodies.

5. Genetic: Inheriting strengths and weaknesses can be part of our genetic makeup. Beginning at the cellular level a variety of diseases come from mutated genes cancer

6. Medical:
Through modern medicine our bodies can be given different aids -from anti-bodies to help fight infections or chemotherapy to kill harmful cancer cells.

Levels of biological organization : 1. Chemical --> 2. Cell --> 3. Tissue --> 4. Organ --> 5. Body System --> 6. Individual

The basic unit of life. The human body is an assemblage of cells. 1. What are the properties of a cell? 2. What do cells need in order to survive (and in turn what does the human body need in order to survive?)

A general term used to identify an aggregate of similar cells which perform a specific function. - Epithelial Tissue - Connective Tissue - Muscle Tissue - Nerve Tissue

Always lines either the external or internal surface of the body. Functions : 1) They secrete (endocrine glands) 2) They protect (outer layer of skin) 3) They absorb (lining of small intestine)

Connective tissue has an extracellular maxtrix. Functions: 1) Supportive (bone, cartilage) 2) Transport/Immunity (blood) 3) Storage of nutrients (white fat)

Muscle is an excitable tissue containing actin and myosin Function: Movement through contraction of the cell.

An excitable tissue. Function: Communication of information. Cell structure reflects this function.

Various tissues cooperate to form an organ which has a particular function in the body.

A number of organs form a body system (=organ system)-- each body system has a specific function and most contribute to achieving homeostasis. 1. There are eleven body systems 2. Each body system helps maintain a homeostatic cellular state.

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Negative feedback--its function is to keep a physiological level relatively constant through time. Example: Regulation of Blood Pressure Positive feedback. The sign changes from - to +. In this case feedback, accelerates a process which has already started. Example: Regulation of blood clotting Feedforward mechanisms Example: GLP-1/ GIP and Insulin stimulation/ glucagon inhibition

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In negative feedback systems, the output shuts off the original stimulus Example: Regulation of blood pressure

In positive feedback systems, the output enhances or exaggerates the original stimulus Example: Regulation of blood clotting

Figure 1.6

Feedforward Mechanism

Insulin stimulation Glucagon inhibition

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) Glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1)

Various regulatory systems are responsible for homeostasis :

1.

Neural regulation
Example: Autonomic control of heart rate

2.

Endocrine regulation
Example: Insulin and Glucagon affect blood glucose level

3.

Local autoregulation
Example: Effect of adenosine on cardiac vessels

Summaries :

The regulation of the amounts of water and minerals in the body. This is known as osmoregulation. This happens primarily in the kidneys. The removal of metabolic waste. This is known as excretion. This is done by the excretory organs such as the kidneys and lungs. The regulation of body temperature. This is mainly done by the skin. The regulation of blood glucose level. This is mainly done by the liver and the insulin and glucagon secreted by the pancreas in the body.

Most of these organs are controlled by hormones secreted from the pituitary gland, which in turn is directed by the hypothalamus.