The Systems and Homeostasis

HOMEOSTASIS is defined as all the processes that help maintain an organism internal environment.

How does the digestive system help in maintaining homeostasis?

The digestive system breaks down food into a form that the cells can use to maintain homeostasis. (Just like in the diffusion lab, the starch was too big and could not go through the artificial membrane. If the food is too big, it will not be able to enter the cell. It will not fit in the holes in the cell membrane)

Digestion begins in the mouth. In the mouth, mechanical digestion starts with the teeth grinding food into smaller pieces. The salivary glands releases saliva, which has a digestive enzyme called amylase. Amylase breaks down starch into smaller pieces and also produce a new substance. Additionally, the saliva moistened the food while the tongue rolls it into a ball. Once the the food is push back to the pharyngeal area, swallowing is initialized automatically.

How would you feel if you were not able to digest your food?

CHECK OUT SOME OF THE ORGANS OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM!

WATCH THIS VIDEO OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM!

ENZYMES AT WORK

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ON ENZYME ACTIVITIES

pH AND ENZYME FUNCTION

How does the respiratory system help in maintaining homeostasis?

- The respiratory system takes in oxygen needed to make ATP and removes carbon dioxide. These activities are necessary in order to maintain homeostasis.

The Human Respiratory System

CHECK THESE VIDEOS ON THE RESPIRATORY SYST. "RESPIRATORY SYSTEM"

How does the circulatory system help in maintaining homeostasis?

- The circulatory system carries oxygen, nutrients and other needed molecules to the cells, while carrying away waste product from the cells.


CHECK THESE VIDEOS ON THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM: "CIRCULATORY SYSTEM"

How does the immune system help in maintaining homeostasis?

- The immune system is involved in destroying foreign particles and pathogens that would disrupt homeostasis. The immune system kills bacteria and viruses.

How does the endocrine system help in maintaining homeostasis?

- The endocrine system helps maintain homeostasis through the actions of its chemical messengers called hormones. Hormones interact with specific receptors found on cell surfaces or inside the cell. Hormones are produced in specialized cells called endocrine glands and they are released into the blood. The pancreas is an endocrine gland and it produces insulin and glucagon. Insulin lowers blood glucose level by converting glucose into a storage form called glycogen and glycogen is stored in the liver. Glucagon raises blood sugar level by converting glycogen back into glucose.



HORMONES AND RECEPTORS VIDEO

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"CONTROLLING BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS"

Check Out This Video "Endocrine System"

How does the nervous system help to maintain homeostasis?

- The nervous system controls homeostasis using nerve impulses or electrical signals.

How does the excretory system help to maintain homeostasis?

- The excretory system is a series of systems involved in removing waste from the body. For example: the digestive system removes solid waste from the body; the urinary system removes liquid waste from the body; the respiratory system removes carbon dioxide and water from the body; the skin removes nitrogenous waste and other dissolved waste substances.

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