BIOS 251 Week 1 Virtual Discussion; Homeostasis Feedback Mechanisms

Week 1: Virtual Discussion Ruth Lian Chamberlain University College of Nursing BIOS251: Anatomy & Physiology I w/ Lab Professor Hampton 01/12/2025 Week 1: Virtual Discussion Draw three examples of negative feedback loop pathways that the body uses to maintain homeostasis. Blood sugar regulation 933450194791 Explanation: “The pancreas releases insulin or glucagon to maintain stable blood sugar levels, preventing hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia” (Eat, Sleep, Wander). Picture referenced by Vendatu site for easier visualization. Breathing rate regulation: 933450194171 Explanation: “Chemoreceptors detect changes in blood CO2 and O2 levels, signaling the brain to adjust the breathing rate to maintain stable gas concentrations” (Eat, Sleep, Wander). Osmoregulation in kidneys 2341625283325 The kidney is the main organ that controls water balance in humans. It reabsorbs water, amino acids, and glucose. If the body has too much water, the kidneys produce a lot of dilute urine. If the body has too little water, they save water and make concentrated urine. This helps maintain the body's electrolyte balance. Hormones like aldosterone, angiotensin II, and ADH control this process. Some water and salts are also lost through sweating. The brain's hypothalamus controls thirst and ADH release. ADH helps the kidneys reabsorb water by opening water channels. The kidneys continue to absorb water until the pituitary gland stops releasing ADH (ByJu’s). Picture referenced by ByJu’s for easier visualization. What is the most common homeostatic mechanism that the body uses? The most common homeostatic mechanism that the body uses is negative feedback loop. Negative feedback loops work by opposing the stimulus. This helps the system stay within a set range for a certain parameter. In negative feedback, the stimulus and response move in opposite directions (Edapt 2025). An example of negative feedback loop would be blood pressure regulation - baroreceptors in blood vessels sense changes in blood pressure and signal the heart to adjust its speed and strength accordingly (Eat, Sleep, Wander). Another one would be blood sugar regulation. When blood glucose levels are too high, the body releases insulin from the beta cells in the pancreas to help reduce it (Edapt 2025). List all t