Breathing Rate Homeostasis

Homeostasis defines how the body regulates a constant optimal condition and this is regulation is achieved through mechanisms such as receptors, the control centre and effectors. Whilst Dan exercises, he will notice a marked increase in his breathing and heart rate as the hypothalamus detects changes in the blood and communicates this though to his medulla via a chemical messenger that binds and stimulates the receptors on postganglionic neurons found in the spinal cord. In response, Dan’s medulla, which controls heart rate, will release epinephrine and norepinephrine into the blood, which then travel to his heart in order to stimulate the sinus node. Once this occurs the electrical signals from the sinus will become stronger, prompting stronger

contractions from the heart in order pump oxygenated blood faster around the body to aid in the production of ATP for aerobic respiration. Regulations for blood sugars are now needed as ATP requires oxygen to initiate sustainable energy through glycolosis. If this doesn’t happen the body will no longer be able to sustain exercise and will seize from exhaustion. This increase in heart rate also ensures efficient removal of waste products such as carbon dioxide and excess heat which is also carried away from the muscles in the blood and brought to the surface of the skin, where it is expressed through the pores as sweat, in order to regulate the temperature of the body.

When this doesn’t happen, the body can overheat and various health complaints can occur, such as swelling and fainting. Dan’s breathing rate is controlled by the respiratory control centre of the brain, this recognises levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood and responds

When exercise ceases, Dan’s muscles will signal the medulla to release acetylcholine. This slows down the contractions of the heart, and allows the heart to rest by reducing the heart rate. Ultimately homeostatic function is regulated by the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system of which both are part of the autonomic nervous system. The temperature of the body is regulated by the thermoregulatory centre located within the hypothalamus. Two receptors work together to maintain the homeostatic ideal and these are an internal one located within the brain, and an external receptor that is skin. An example of homeostatic maintenance is vasodilatation which occurs when the body’s internal temperature is too high. This

process relaxes the muscle of blood vessels so that a larger volume of blood can be transported closer to the skins surface. In order to conduct all energy production within the body, glucose must be present. This is stored at a cellular level as glycogen and is commonly found in the liver. During the anaerobic phase of Dan’s exercise he will use up the small stores of glucose with his blood and skeletal muscle, but as his exercise continues a process called glycolysis must take place within the liver in order to break down glycogen to glucose ready to be transported and used in order to maintain production of ATP. This is achieved through the use of the hormones glucagon and insulin and they work together to regulate the production and transportation of glucose into the bloodstream. The body breaks down food and takes the required nutrients away and uses then for anabolism and energy production. After this has occurred there are many waste products that are left within the body. The main function of the urinary system is to process and filter blood to remove toxins such as urea whilst ensuring the correct levels of salts, potassium and water are within homeostatic levels. Another vital function of the kidneys and urinary system include blood pressure regulation through the use of the anti-diuretic hormone. Kidneys also produce cells called erythropoietin. These monitor and control the production of red cells within the bone marrow of the body. The urinary system is made up of several organs which are as follows; kidneys, which’s function is to remove cellular waste from the blood through the use of nephrons. These nephrons contain bundles of tiny blood capillaries which are known as glomerulus. The ureters are responsible for the continual drainage of urine from the bladder and this is achieved via contractions of the ureter walls. The bladder is held in place via ligaments to the pelvis which is why the feeling of needing to bear down when the bladder is full is so dominant. The bladder tissue is isolated from urine and toxic substances by a substance that discourages the multiplication and growth of bacteria from attaching and growing on the bladder wall Generally a typical adult will be able to hold their bladder for around 5 hours, with the aid of sphincter muscles which attempt to prevent urinal leakage, though these become more unreliable over time.
The urethra provides a passageway for liquid waste to be excreted from the body. If toxin should be left within the body their accumulation would lead to death. Excretion also occurs via the skin, as toxins can also be removed via the skin’s sweat glands. Homeostasis benefits from the filtration and detoxification of substances by the liver. The body is usually quite resilient at this though continual alcohol consumption can lead to disease of the liver.
Osmoregulation is a particularly important process within the body that maintains balance of electrolytes and fluids within the cells. This is ideally maintained regardless of external factors that can include temperature and diet. Osmoregulation is generally a passive process which is similar to that of diffusion. Osmotic pressure has the ability to change the pressure of water within the body and therefore has a solid function in the regulation of the homeostatic nature of blood pressure.
Acute glomerulonephritis is a particular type of disease that injures the part of the kidney as part of a faulty auto-immune response that mistakes the healthy body tissue of the kidney for infection, therefore attacking it causing inflammation prompting blood and protein in the urine.

If damage to the kidney continues, eventually the nephrons well die and total kidney failure will result. The acute form develops suddenly. The condition may develop after an infection in the throat or skin and symptoms commonly include facial puffiness, urine retention and bloody urine. Shortness of breath may also occur as a build up of fluid occurs around the lungs. Ordinarily acute glomerulonephritis will cease on its own, though dialysis is sometimes required for those afflicted who have a large amount of extra fluid within the body. Two further conditions are associated with this disease and those are nephritic syndrome and nephrotic syndrome. Nephrotic syndrome is characterised by the presence of proteinuria within the urine and this release of protein from the body can adversely affect osmotic processes in the body, leading towards irregular dehydration of the cells and pooling of fluids elsewhere in the body in the form of oedema, mainly noticeable within the face and

ankles.