Take notes on the 2 non-human examples of living things maintaining homeostasis negative feedback
1. Plants: Plants maintain homeostasis through a mechanism called phototropism. This response allows them to grow towards a light source to maximize their ability to photosynthesize. When a plant is exposed to light, the leaves receive an increased amount of chlorophyll, which triggers the production of energy-rich molecules through photosynthesis. As a result, the plant obtains energy and sustains its metabolic functions. However, if the light intensity becomes too high and threatens to damage the plant's cells, the plant responds by decreasing the absorption of light or redirecting it away from sensitive areas, hence avoiding excessive energy intake and maintaining homeostasis.
2. Bacteria: Bacteria are single-celled organisms that can adapt to a wide range of environments. They maintain homeostasis by utilizing a form of negative feedback called chemotaxis. Chemotaxis is the movement of bacteria in response to changes in chemical concentration within their environment. When bacteria encounter a favorable chemical gradient, they respond by moving towards the higher concentration of the substance, ensuring their survival and reproduction. However, if the concentration of the chemical becomes too high or toxic, the bacteria respond by moving away from that area, thus avoiding potentially harmful conditions. This feedback mechanism allows bacteria to adapt and maintain homeostasis by regulating their exposure to different chemical environments.
To take notes on the two non-human examples of living things maintaining homeostasis through negative feedback, you can follow these steps:
1. Understand the concept of homeostasis: Homeostasis refers to the ability of living organisms to maintain stable internal conditions despite changes in the external environment. Negative feedback is one of the mechanisms by which homeostasis is maintained. It involves reversing any changes detected in the internal environment, bringing it back to a set point.
2. Identify the first non-human example: One example of a non-human organism maintaining homeostasis through negative feedback is the regulation of body temperature in mammals. When the body temperature rises above the set point, the hypothalamus in the brain detects this change and triggers responses to cool the body down. This includes actions such as sweating, dilation of blood vessels to release heat, and reducing metabolic rate.
3. Note down the steps involved: In your notes, write down the steps involved in maintaining body temperature through negative feedback. For example:
- Increase in body temperature is detected by the hypothalamus.
- Hypothalamus sends signals to sweat glands to start producing sweat and to blood vessels to dilate.
- Sweating helps in cooling down the body through evaporation.
- Dilated blood vessels allow more blood to flow near the skin surface, facilitating heat loss through radiation and conduction.
- These actions work together to lower the body temperature back to the set point.
4. Identify the second non-human example: Another example of non-human organisms maintaining homeostasis through negative feedback is the control of blood sugar levels in mammals. When blood sugar levels rise, such as after a meal, the pancreas detects this change and releases insulin. Insulin acts on the liver, muscle, and adipose tissue, promoting the uptake and storage of glucose, thus reducing blood sugar levels.
5. Note down the steps involved: In your notes, outline the steps involved in maintaining blood sugar levels through negative feedback. For instance:
- Increase in blood sugar levels is detected by the pancreas.
- Pancreas secretes insulin into the bloodstream.
- Insulin triggers cells in the liver, muscle, and adipose tissue to uptake glucose from the blood.
- Once glucose is taken up, it is either utilized for energy or stored as glycogen or fat.
- These actions help lower blood sugar levels and bring them back to the set point.
By following these steps, you can effectively take notes on the two non-human examples of homeostasis through negative feedback.
Title: Non-human examples of living things maintaining homeostasis through negative feedback
Introduction:
Homeostasis is the ability of living organisms to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes. Negative feedback mechanisms play a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis, as they act to counteract any deviations from the normal range. This article explores two non-human examples of living organisms that employ negative feedback to maintain homeostasis.
1. Thermoregulation in reptiles:
Reptiles, such as snakes and lizards, are ectothermic animals whose body temperatures vary with the environment. However, they still rely on negative feedback mechanisms to regulate their internal body temperature within a certain range.
a. Sensory receptors: Reptiles possess specialized sensory receptors that detect external temperature changes through their skin, primarily in their head and body regions.
b. Hypothalamus and hormonal control: The sensory receptors transmit signals to the reptile's brain, specifically the hypothalamus, which acts as the body's thermostat. The hypothalamus then triggers the release of hormones, such as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which regulates metabolism, and corticosterone, which influences behavior.
c. Behavior and physiological responses: Based on the information received by the hypothalamus, reptiles can exhibit various behaviors or physiological responses to maintain their body temperature. For instance, if the temperature is too low, they may seek out warmer areas or bask in the sun to increase their body temperature. Conversely, if the temperature is too high, they may seek shade or burrow underground to lower their body temperature.
d. Negative feedback loop: As the reptile's body temperature approaches the desired range, the hypothalamus detects this change and decreases the release of temperature-regulating hormones, thus maintaining homeostasis. This negative feedback loop enables reptiles to adjust their behavior and physiology in response to external temperature changes.
2. Blood glucose regulation in mammals:
Mammals, including humans, maintain blood glucose levels within a narrow range, as it is vital for cellular energy production and overall metabolic functions. Negative feedback mechanisms involving multiple organs and hormones are essential in regulating blood glucose levels.
a. Pancreas and insulin production: The pancreas plays a crucial role in blood glucose regulation. When blood glucose levels rise, specialized cells in the pancreas called beta cells release the hormone insulin into the bloodstream.
b. Insulin and glucose uptake: Insulin stimulates cells, especially muscle and fat cells, to absorb glucose from the bloodstream, reducing blood glucose levels. The absorbed glucose is either utilized for immediate energy or stored as glycogen in the liver and muscles.
c. Liver and glycogen production: When blood glucose levels decline, the pancreas releases another hormone called glucagon. This hormone prompts the liver to convert stored glycogen back into glucose and release it into the bloodstream, raising blood glucose levels.
d. Negative feedback loop: As blood glucose levels reach the desired range, the pancreas detects this change and adjusts the release of insulin and glucagon accordingly. Insulin secretion decreases, while glucagon secretion may increase, resulting in a negative feedback loop that helps maintain blood glucose homeostasis.
Conclusion:
These two non-human examples highlight how living organisms, such as reptiles and mammals, maintain homeostasis through negative feedback mechanisms. Whether it is regulating body temperature to adapt to environmental changes or maintaining blood glucose levels for metabolic functions, negative feedback loops are essential for the overall well-being and survival of living beings.