BIO 156

Chapter 1
Health and
Homeostasis
 Homeostasis is a state of relative constancy.

•Homeostasis comes from two Greek words, homeo,

which means “the same,” and stasis, which means
“standing.

•Homeostatic mechanisms exist at all levels of biological

organization, from cells to organisms to ecosystems.

•These homeostatic mechanisms are vital to survival and

reproduction.
Human health depends on maintaining healthy physical,
psychological, and social environments.

•The health of the environment and the health of

organisms, including human beings, are interdependent.

•Adverse changes in the environment can affect on human

health.

•The health of organisms also requires social and

psychological conditions conducive to mental health.
Human health is a state of physical and mental well-being.

•Physical well-being: an absence of disease or symptoms

of disease, a lack of risk factors that lead to disease, and
good physical fitness.

•Mental health: a lack of mental illness and a capacity to

deal effectively with the normal stresses and strains of life.
Health is dependent on properly functioning homeostatic
mechanisms.

• When these mechanisms break down, illnesses often

result.

• Stress results in disease by disrupting homeostatic

mechanisms.

• Not all diseases result from homeostatic imbalance

Genetics
Viruses
Bacteria
Humans are similar to other organisms in many ways.

•are made up of cells

•grow and maintain their organization by taking in
chemicals and energy
•exhibit metabolism
•rely on homeostatic mechanisms
•exhibit irritability
•are capable of reproduction and growth
•are products of evolutionary development and are subject
to evolutionary change
Humans are one form of life on Earth and have many unique
characteristics.

•our ability to acquire and use complex languages

•our culture
•our ability to plan for the future
•our ability to shape the environment
Understanding
Science
The scientific method
generally starts with
observations that lead to
hypotheses and experiments
to test them.
Hypothesis: a tentative
explanation of the
phenomenon.

Experiment: a
procedure designed to
test some idea.
Theories are broad generalizations based on many
experimental observations.

•Theories cannot be tested by single experiments because

they encompass many bits of information.

•Theories can change over time as new information

becomes available.
Science relies on inductive and deductive reasoning.

•inductive reasoning: a type of reasoning based on

observations

•deductive reasoning: a specific statement or conclusion

based on a general rule
Science helps shape our lives and our values.

•Science and the scientific process are essential to modern

existence.

•Science can also influence political decisions.

•Many decisions in the public-policy arena are influenced

by values rather than scientific facts.

•However,science can even influence human values.

Critical
Thinking
Critical thinking rules allow us to carefully analyze problems,
issues, and information for errors of reasoning.

Careful analysis helps us distinguish knowledge from beliefs or

judgments
 Seven Rules for Critical Thinking

1. Gather complete information

4. Understand and define all terms

7. Question the methods by which data and information were

derived

11.Question the conclusions

14.Uncover assumptions and biases

17.Question the source of the information

7. Understand your own biases and values

End of Chapter 1