Controlling Mechanisms

Applied Biological
Science

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 Aim of the lecture

To identify the principles behind the

physiological control mechanisms used to
maintain body function at its optimum level.

2
 Learning Outcomes

At the end of the session the students will be

able to:

Recognise the need for physiological control
systems

Define homeostasis

Give common examples of homeostatic regulation

Explain negative and positive feedback

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 Definition of homeostasis

The automatic, self-regulating physiological

processes necessary to maintain the normal,
or standard state of the body’s internal
environment.

4
 Need for homeostasis

Evolution has meant that the environment in

which an organism lives is often:-

Inconsistent

Unpredictable

Potentially dangerous

5
 Historical perspective

The importance of the concept of

homeostasis was first discussed in the
middle of the 19th century by Claude Bernard
who stated:

“La fixite du milieu interieur est la condition de la vie

libre”

“The consistency of the internal environment is the condition for

free life”

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 Historical perspective

Walter Bradford Cannon (1932) from the

Greek homoios (same, like, resembling) and
stasis (to stand, posture).

Absolutely vital to any organism – failure

leads to death

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 Homeostasis

Homeostasis is arguably the most important

concept within physiology. It represents the
processes necessary for the maintenance of
conditions under which cells, and hence the
body, can function optimally; since even
small changes in body fluid composition can
disrupt biochemical activities within a cell or
may even kill it.

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 Dynamic Equilibrium

Dynamic equilibrium refers to a
condition in which the parts of a
system are in continuous motion,
but they move in opposing
directions at equal rates so that
the system as a whole does not
change.

Cell membrane is semi permeable
therefore some substances e.g.
ions (K, Cl, Na, Ca etc)
continually leaching in and out

Concentrations of solutes, water
etc in cell must however remain
constant.

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 Homeostasis

An organism is said to be in homeostasis

when its internal environment:-
– contains the optimum concentration of gases,
nutrients, ions and water
– has an optimal temperature
– has an optimal pressure for the cells

These optimal levels can be considered as

“set points”

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 Control mechanisms

All homeostatic control mechanisms have at

least three interdependent components for
the variable being regulated:

Receptor

Control system

Effector

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 Receptors

The receptor is the sensing component that

monitors and responds to changes in the
environment. When the receptor senses a
stimulus, it sends information to a control
centre.
– Chemoreceptors
– Baroreceptors

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 Control Centre

The control centre is the component that sets

the range at which a variable is maintained
and determines an appropriate response to
the stimulus.
– Central Nervous Systen

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 Effector

The receptor thus stimulated then responds

by either enhancing the stimulus with
positive feedback or by depressing it with
negative feedback.
– Organ system, organ, tissue, or cellular level

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 Positive feedback loop

This is when a stimulus

causes a deviation away
from an original set point
which in turn causes an
increase in the stimulus
causing further deviation
away from the set point

Induces change

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 Negative feedback loop

This is when a stimulus

causes a deviation
away from an original
set point which results
in a decrease in the
stimulus returning the
deviation to the set
point.

Maintains stability

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 Maintaining Body Temperature

Maintenance of body temperature is achieved

by the following mechanisms

Auto regulation

Extrinsic regulation

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 Autoregulation

Occurs when cell, tissue, organ or organ

system adjusts its activities automatically in
response to an environmentally stimulus

Example
– Increased body temperature results in increased
sweating and flushing of the skin.

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 Extrinsic regulation

This results from the activities of the nervous

or endocrine systems

Example
– Individual feeling too hot decides to take off some
warm clothing i.e. remove coat

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 Negative feedback - thermoregulation

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 What’s the connection?

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 Summary

Physiological systems work together to

maintain a stable internal environment, the
condition of homeostasis. In doing so they
monitor and adjust the volume and
composition of body fluids and keep body
temperature within normal limits.

Failure to do so results in death

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 Any Questions?

Thank you
See you all next time

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