THE homeostasis indicates the organism's property to remain in balance even when radical changes occur in the external environment. The term, which is an amalgamation of the Greek radicals homeo (the same) and stasis (to stay), was created by Walter Canon, in 1929, and was inspired by the idea of a fixed internal environment proposed by Claude Bernard.
→ What is internal means?
The expression "internal environment" was created by Claude Bernard (1813-1878) after this researcher realized that a living being tends to maintain its normal functioning even when the external environment undergoes great change. This shows that, although organisms interact with the environment that surrounds them, the environment does not always affect their internal environment, which is basically constituted by the fluids that circulate in the body. The organism would therefore be relatively independent of the environment.
→ How do we ensure body homeostasis?
Homeostasis is guaranteed by physiological processes that occur in a coordinated way in the body.
Among the main homeostatic control mechanisms, we can mention those that control temperature body, pH, volume of body fluids, blood pressure, heart rate, concentrations of the elements of the blood etc.The homeostatic control mechanism usually occurs through a feedback negative. When this happens, the body tends to reverse the direction of change that is taking place in the body. When the glucose level falls, for example, there is the release of glucagon, which in turn stimulates the release of glucose in the liver, which causes the rate to increase.
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We can conclude that the body's tissues, organs and systems are constantly working to ensure a state of balance. Unfortunately, sometimes the internal environment loses its homeostasis, which triggers compensatory responses. When compensation fails, illnesses arise; when success is achieved, the organism remains healthy.
→ Importance of homeostasis
Keeping the internal environment in balance is essential for the proper functioning of the systems that make up the human body. At enzymes, for example, they are substances that act as biological catalysts, accelerating the speed of various reactions. To play their role, enzymes need to find a suitable and conducive environment, with temperature and pH within a normal range, for example. Therefore, a balanced body is a healthy body.
By Ma. Vanessa dos Santos
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
SANTOS, Vanessa Sardinha dos. "What is homeostasis?"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/o-que-e/biologia/o-que-e-homeostasia.htm. Accessed on June 29, 2021.