Homeostasis is the process within mammals where the body systems work together to maintain a stable response to a fluctuating environment within the body due to changes in the external environment and input into the body. The homeostasis process is used during blood sugar regulation within the body. This is the process whereby the body uses hormones to keeps the glucose levels in the blood at a stable level to ensure the body’s optimum function.
Blood sugar levels are determined by the amount of carbohydrates and sugars we ingest. When we eat the food travels into the stomach, and digestion begins. The digestive system works with nerve impulses and hormones to secrete acids into the stomach. The body requires glucose to create ATP. Because the amount of ATP that is needed fluctuates, the body needs to…
The body’s mechanism of being able to maintain steady blood sugar levels is is called a negative feedback system. The process begins with an input of information from the outside environment. Receptors in cells receive this information and pass it on to a controller cell which co-ordinates information and send out instructions to respond to the change in balance to the effector. The output is the result of the effectors action. The result of feedback is output effects input. In the case of blood glucose regulation the receptor cells are located in the pancreas. These cells are called alpha and beta cells. As food is ingested and glucose levels in the blood rise. This is the input stage. The increase in glucose levels is detected by the beta cells through a change in the ADP/ATP ratio in the cytoplasm. This is the receptor stage. When the excess glucose is sensed by beta cells in the pancreas chemical reactions will occur within the cell, which eventually results in the production of the hormone insulin. This is the controller stage which has produced information for the…
