OL Lab 1: Homeostatic Control: How does the human body keep itself in
balance?
Learning Objectives:
List some of the main physiological variables under homeostatic control
Employ appropriate vocabulary to discuss the processes and concepts of
homeostasis
Explain the steps in a homeostatic pathway from stimulus to response
Compare different types of feedback loops
Identify signs of homeostatic disruption and determine the underlying mechanism
Introduction:
The human body is a very complex combination of finely-tuned machinery. Every organ
system is dependent on the other to carry out its physiological functions along with
maintaining an internal equilibrium. Homeostasis is the ability of the body to maintain an
internal balance to in the body. So how does it always keep everything in balance? In
this simulation, you will learn about the underlying regulatory workflow involved in the
homeostatic process, through the examples of body temperature, blood pressure, and
blood sugar regulation.
Observe homeostasis in action
You will test different settings on our virtual volunteer, Phineas. You will observe and
analyze how the body reacts to the various stimuli such as changes in temperature,
heart rate, and blood glucose levels in the body. Using a 3D model of the human body,
you will be able to apply one or more stimuli on the test subject, to observe an
immediate visible impact on physiological variables.
From your observations, you will identify the sensors detecting the stimuli, the control
center processing them, and the effectors acting to counter them on Phineas’ body.
Finally, you will interpret the resulting changes in those variables to explain the
homeostatic phenomenon.
Part 1: Complete Labster Homeostatic Control
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Part 2: Report and Reflection
Purpose: Describe in your own words and in complete sentences, the purpose of this
experiment.
The aim of this experiment was to understand and demonstrate the process of
homeostasis using a virtual volunteer named Phineas. We studied how the body
maintains stability by adjusting factors like blood glucose levels, temperature,
blood pressure, and heart rate. Using a 3D model of the human body, we
observed and analyzed the immediate effects of changing these variables. This
allowed us to observe how the body detects each change and the steps it takes
to restore and maintain internal balance, known as homeostasis.
Observations: List 2 observations you have made in this simulation.
1. The first observation I made in the simulation was when I first turned the air
conditioning unit off the body temperature started to rise to its heat tolerance.
This triggered the hypothalamus to send a signal to other organs known as
effectors. The body temperature is regulated by two effectors, which are the
blood vessels and sweat glands. Once the effectors are triggered the body then
becomes stable.
2. The second observation I notice within the simulation was the sugar level. When
Phineas ate a sweetened snack the sugar in the snack made the blood glucose
level increase. When the glucose level was too high it triggered the production of
insulin of glycogenesis in the liver.
Answer all the questions below:
1. Why is it essential to have maintain homeostasis? (1 point)
This study source was downloaded by 100000864828840 from CourseHero.com on 09-02-2024 23:35:45 GMT -05:00
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