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Anatomy & Physiology: Homeostasis, Fluid Balance, and pH Regulation

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  • What is homeostasis?

    Homeostasis is the maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment despite continuous external and internal changes.

  • What happens when homeostatic control is lost?

    Loss of homeostatic control can lead to disease or death.

  • What is dynamic equilibrium in homeostasis?

    The body maintains homeostasis by being in a state of dynamic equilibrium, adjusting to changes like nutrient intake, fluid balance, and energy use.

  • Define autoregulation (intrinsic regulation).

    Autoregulation is when a cell or organ system adjusts to changes in its immediate environment without external control.

  • Define extrinsic regulation.

    Extrinsic regulation involves multiple organ systems coordinating responses, often controlled by the central nervous system.

  • What is a negative feedback loop in homeostasis?

    A negative feedback loop senses a change and initiates responses to reverse it, maintaining stability.

  • List the components of a homeostatic feedback loop.

    Stimulus, receptor, control center, effector, and response.

  • What role does the hypothalamus play in temperature regulation?

    The hypothalamus acts as the control center, receiving temperature information and sending commands to effectors like sweat glands and muscles.

  • What are osmolytes and their role in fluid balance?

    Osmolytes are particles that affect osmotic pressure; they are transported across membranes to maintain fluid balance.

  • How do electrolytes relate to osmolytes?

    Electrolytes are osmolytes that dissociate into charged ions and are crucial for fluid balance, but not all osmolytes are electrolytes.

  • What is the normal osmolarity of body fluids?

    Approximately 270 milliosmolar (mOs), equivalent to 0.9% saline, with less than 0.5% variation under normal conditions.

  • What can happen if a person rapidly drinks excessive pure water?

    Rapid intake of large amounts of pure water can dilute body fluids, causing hyponatremia and disrupting homeostasis, potentially leading to death.

  • What is hyponatremia and why is it dangerous?

    Hyponatremia is low blood sodium, which disrupts fluid balance and can cause brain swelling, seizures, and death.

  • How does the body respond to increased extracellular fluid osmolarity?

    Increased osmolarity triggers release of ADH, causing kidneys to retain water and inducing thirst to restore balance.

  • What is the pH scale and its range?

    The pH scale measures hydrogen ion concentration from 0 (acidic) to 14 (basic), with 7 being neutral.

  • What is the normal blood pH range?

    Normal blood pH ranges from 7.35 to 7.45.

  • What are alkalemia and acidemia?

    Alkalemia is blood pH above normal, causing nervous system over-excitation; acidemia is blood pH below normal, causing nervous system depression.

  • What is the function of buffer systems in blood?

    Buffer systems minimize pH changes by neutralizing added acids or bases, maintaining blood pH stability.

  • How does blood pH change when acid is added to water vs. blood?

    Adding acid to water drastically lowers pH, but blood buffers limit pH change, showing blood's resistance to pH shifts.

  • Why is drinking water only when thirsty recommended?

    The body signals thirst with as little as 1% change in osmolarity, so drinking only when thirsty helps maintain fluid and electrolyte balance.