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Chapter 13 — Chapter 13 — Thermoregulation and Osmoregulation
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📘Easy summary
Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment (temperature, water, salts, glucose, pH) despite changes outside. It covers osmoregulation, thermoregulation and excretion. Three elements operate homeostatic mechanisms: (1) Receptors detect changes (stimuli) — e.g. receptor cells in the skin detect temperature changes and receptors in blood vessels detect blood pressure — and pass information to the control centre. (2) Control centre (brain, especially the hypothalamus, or glands) receives the information, processes it and sends appropriate messages to the effectors. (3) Effectors (muscles and glands) receive the message and respond to restore the internal condition to normal (set point).
⭐Key points
- Homeostasis = constant internal environment.
- Receptor → control centre → effector.
- Muscles and glands are effectors.
🔬Diagram
🌿Real-life example
Hot day: skin receptors → hypothalamus → sweat glands produce sweat.
💡Exam tip
- Homeostasis covers the other three terms.
✅Quick check
1. Term covering the other three:
2. Effectors are:
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