What is Homeostasis? For the human body to function optimally, each bodily system must operate within certain conditions for the performance of each cell. Many cells do not perform properly if the body’s internal environment changes drastically from a predetermined ‘set point’ where they operate efficiently. To preserve this set point, each system must maintain constant requirements and regulate any changes to stay within this range. Homeostasis can be defined as the body’s tendency to “maintain a condition of equilibrium or stability within its internal environments” despite fluctuations in the external environment. The purpose of homeostasis is to maintain a state of dynamic equilibrium within the body, which is done through the co-operation …show more content…
When blood glucose levels rise above 5mM, the release the hormone insulin to lower this. (glycogenesis) Insulin receptors are found in the liver, muscles and fat cells. Once the insulin hormone bonds to the insulin receptor it stimulates an increased intake of glucose into these tissues, lowering blood glucose levels. The glucose taken in by the liver is stored mostly as glycogen. Glucose taken in by fat cells contributes to the amount of fat in these cells. Insulin need to be released within a few minutes, but it takes 30-60 minutes for the insulin gene to be switched on - beta cells make insulin in advance (in vesicles waiting for an increase to occur). When extra glucose is detected in the beta cell, the vesicle fuses to the plasma membrane and releases the insulin in to the blood stream. Once it has travelled through the blood stream and found its specific receptor, it binds to the receptor and becomes activated. The binding of the insulin hormone and its receptor causes the cell to change its intracellular shape and proportion, allowing for the hormone on the outside to control the cell inside. This process is called …show more content…
After a meal, the digestion of the carbohydrates and sugars in the food releases glucose into the bloodstream. As blood glucose levels begin to rise above the set point of 5mM, the beta cells of the pancreas secrete the hormone insulin (1). The hormone sends a message to the liver that the levels of blood glucose have been detected to be too high. The liver begins the process of glycogenesis, converting glucose into glycogen. Glycogen is then stored in the liver, lowering the blood glucose levels. This results in the blood glucose levels to peak (2) and then fall (3) as the insulin feedback mechanisms work to restore the blood glucose levels to the fasting blood glucose level