Homeostasis: How Water Balance Affects The Body

Water balance protects the cells by making sure they don’t get too much water going into them or leaving them. We lose water from our lungs when we breathe, when we sweat and in urine which is produced by the kidneys. However, we gain water through drinking and eating. Osmoregulation is an example of negative feedback and it controls the water and salt concentration in the body. Homeostasis is the maintenance of a constant internal environment within an organism. For example, homeostasis keeps a constant body temperature so that the enzymes don’t denature and so that metabolic activities don’t slow down. It also controls blood pressure, blood sugar levels and makes sure that there is enough oxygen for respiration. Homeostasis removes toxic waste products like carbon dioxide from respiration and urea from excess amino acids that get broken down. Another example of homeostasis is that it controls ions, such as potassium and sodium which produce energy and are used for nerve impulses.

Blood sugar (glucose) is needed by all cells and organs as it gives

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in the body and they are denatured if the temperature gets too high which means it loses its shape and function. The hypothalamus controls the body temperature, it acts as a thermostat in the body and detects when the blood is warmer or cooler. Also, the receptors in the skin provide information to the thermoregulatory system which is sensitive to blood and monitors the temperature in the body.

Low body temperature causes the metabolic activities to slow down and the enzymes aren’t able to speed it up. Also, when the body temperature is less than 35 degrees Celsius it causes hypothermia which can result in a coma, frostbites or death if untreated. If the body temperature is too high it causes dehydration, heat stroke and