Homeostasis
The maintenance of steady conditions. The ability of the body to maintain a constant internal environment, eg temperature and blood glucose concentration. maintains optimal conditions for A protein which catalyses or speeds up a chemical reaction. action throughout the body, as well as all cell functions.
In the human body, these include the control of:
- blood A simple sugar used by cells for respiration. concentration
- body temperature
- water levels
These automatic control systems may involve nervous responses (Body system that includes the brain, spinal cord and nerves.) or chemical responses (The glands that release hormones into the bloodstream to regulate factors including metabolism, growth, development and reproduction.).
Nervous system
The human nervous system consists of:
- the The part of the nervous system made up of the brain and spinal cord. (CNS) – the brain and spinal cord
- the All the nerves in the nervous system except those in the central nervous system (eg those not in the spinal cord and brain). – nerve cells that carry information to or from the CNS
Learn more about homeostasis with Dr Alex Lathbridge.
Listen to the full series on BBC Sounds.
In this podcast, learn the key facts about homeostasis. Listen to the full series on BBC Sounds.
