Life Sciences Revision

Grade 12

Homeostasis in Humans
Presenter: Nonhlanhla Mtshali & Raedene
Kruger

19 January 2022
 WHAT IS HOMEOSTASIS?
Homeostasis: Refers to a process of maintaining a
constant, internal environment within narrow limits,
despite changes that take place internally and
externally.
The internal environment refers to the blood and
tissue fluid that surrounds the cells of the body.
How ?
• By means of a negative feedback mechanism.
Negative feedback mechanism operates in the human
body to detect changes or imbalances in the internal
environment and to restore the balance. It stabilize a
system and return it to its normal state.
 NEGATIVE FEEDBACK MECHANISM
Negative feedback mechanisms General sequence of events in a negative
control each of the following in the feedback mechanism:
body: • STEP 1 - An imbalance is detected
• STEP 2 - A control centre is stimulated
• Blood glucose levels
• STEP 3 - Control centre responds
• Blood carbon dioxide levels
• Osmoregulation (water and salt • STEP 4 - Message sent to target organ/s
levels) • STEP 5 - The target organ responds
• STEP 6 - It opposes/reverses the imbalance
• STEP 7 - Balance is restored
 TERMINOLOGY
Biological term Description

Endocrine glands Ductless glands secreting hormones directly

into the bloodstream.
Exocrine glands Secrete substances into ducts that lead into
cavities in the body or lead directly to the
external environment. (Examples: sweat
glands, mammary glands, the liver, salivary
glands and the pancreas.)
Hormones Organic chemical messengers secreted
directly into the blood by an endocrine gland.
Endocrine vs Exocrine
IMPORTANT GLANDS & HORMONES
HOMEOSTATIC CONTROL OF BLOOD
GLUCOSE
HOMEOSTATIC CONTROL OF BLOOD GLUCOSE
LEVELS
After a meal, blood glucose levels will
increase because RNAmore glucose is absorbed
from the small intestine into the blood.
The pancreas detects an increase in blood
glucose and releases the hormone insulin
which causes the glucose to be converted
into glycogen.
Glycogen is stored in the liver and skeletal
muscles in the body. The body cells are also
stimulated to take up glucose. This lowers
the blood glucose level and returns it to
normal.
HOMEOSTATIC CONTROL OF BLOOD GLUCOSE
Blood glucose levels decrease
LEVELS
because the body cells are constantly
using glucose for cellular respiration.
When blood glucose levels decrease,
the pancreas will release the hormone
glucagon which converts stored
glycogen (from the liver and skeletal
muscles) into glucose. This increases
the blood glucose level and returns it
to normal.
NEGATIVE FEEDBACK MECHANISM OF GLUCOSE LEVELS IN THE BLOOD
 DIABETES MELLITUS
Diabetes mellitus is a disorder caused by high blood glucose levels.
 DIABETES MELLITUS
Diabetes mellitus is a disorder caused by high blood glucose levels.
It results in increased fatigue (tiredness), dehydration and lack of energy.
DIABETES Type 1
DIABETES Type 2
DIABETES Type 2
 QUESTIONS
The graph below indicates the effect of glucose concentration 1. During which period of time was the person’s blood
on insulin production, before and after a meal, measured for a
healthy person over a 2 ½ hour period. glucose level constant?
Between (07:00 and 08:00)
2. What is the glucose level in the blood at 09:00?
93 mg / 100 ml
3. Describe the homeostatic control of blood glucose
levels after eating breakfast at 08:00.
After eating breakfast:
- blood glucose level increases
- pancreas is stimulated to secrete insulin
into blood – insulin stimulates the absorption
of glucose from the blood
- stimulates the conversion of glucose to
glycogen which is stored in the
- liver / muscle cells
- blood glucose levels are decreased back to
normal
 QUESTIONS
The graph below indicates the effect of glucose concentration 4. Describe the expected changes in insulin
on insulin production, before and after a meal, measured for a
levels if this person was diabetic and
healthy person over a 2 ½ hour period.
untreated.
Insulin level will not rise after the meal /
would stay the same and would remain
relatively low.
 QUESTIONS
Study the graph and answer the questions that follow: 3. What does the straight line represent?
Normal blood glucose level.
4. Describe the effect that insulin has on the
glucose levels in the blood.
Isulin stimulates the conversion of
excess glucose into glycogen in the liver.
Thus, lowering the glucose levels in the
blood to normal.

1. What happens to the blood sugar level every time

this person eats a meal?

It increases.
2. Why does the insulin level only increase after the
glucose level increases?
Increase in blood glucose stimulates the
pancreas to secrete insulin.
 QUESTIONS
Read the extract below. 1. Name ONE body fluid that can be used to
DIABETES – TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT test for the presence of excess glucose in
Two forms of diabetes are found in humans, the body.
namely Type I and Type II. With Type 1 diabetes,
the body's immune system mistakenly sees the Blood / Urine
insulin-producing cells in the pancreas as foreign 2. Give TWO target cells in the human body
and destroys them. People with Type II diabetes that will be affected by an excess of insulin.
are able to produce some of their own insulin. Hepatic /liver cells
Often, it's not enough. Overeating, especially of Muscle cells
foods rich in sugar, causes repeated stimulation of 3. Explain the consequence for Type I
the pancreas, which responds by secreting large diabetics, when their immune systems
amounts of insulin. The excess insulin decreases destroy their insulin-producing cells.
the target cells' ability to respond to insulin.
Treatment focuses on diet and exercise. The body cannot reduce blood glucose
level therefore, they have to inject
themselves daily with insulin.
 QUESTIONS
Study the flow diagram below.
1. Organ 1
Pancreas
2. Hormone 2
Insulin
3. Hormone 3
Glucagon
4. The disorder caused when organ 1 fails to
release sufficient amounts of hormone 2
Diabetes mellitus
5. The mechanism that controls the levels of
glucose in the body
Negative feedback /homeostasis
HOMEOSTATIC CONTROL OF CARBON
DIOXIDE LEVELS
 HOMEOSTATIC CONTROL OF CARBON DIOXIDE LEVELS
• When the carbon dioxide level in the blood
increases e.g. after or during exercise,
• The receptor cells in the carotid artery and wall
of the aorta are stimulated
• They send impulses to the medulla oblongata in
the brain
• Medulla oblongata stimulates breathing muscles
(intercostal muscles and diaphragm) and heart
• Breathing muscles contract more actively –
increases the rate and depth of breathing
• The heart beast faster
• More carbon dioxide is taken to and exhaled from
the lungs
• The carbon dioxide level in the blood returns to
normal
HOMEOSTATIC CONTROL OF CARBON DIOXIDE LEVELS
 QUESTIONS
A learner is training for a race by running 20 km every day. Describe how carbon dioxide
produced in the body during training is controlled to maintain normal levels.
Because of the exercise the carbon dioxide levels in the blood will increase.
• The medulla oblongata will be stimulated
• to send messages to the heart and
• breathing muscles
• the heart beats faster
• blood with carbon dioxide is pumped to the lungs faster to be exhaled
• the breathing muscles contract faster
• and the rate and depth of breathing increases
• more carbon dioxide is removed out of the body
• so that the carbon dioxide levels decrease back to normal
 QUESTIONS
An investigation was carried out on a person in which the
1. Explain why the amount of oxygen
volume of air taken in at each breath and number of
taken up into the blood increases
breaths per minute were measured at rest and after after exercise.
running. • The rate of breathing increased
The results are shown in the table below • and cellular respiration is increased
due to the demand for oxygen and
Volume of air per Breaths per energy in the muscles.
breath minute • More carbon dioxide accumulates in
At rest 450 cm3 20 the blood.

After 1 000 cm3 38

running
 QUESTIONS
An investigation was carried out on a person 2. Describe the changes that took place
in the human body to bring about
in which the volume of air taken in at each
the breathing rate of the person
breath and number of breaths per minute • High concentrations of CO2 lead to the formation of
were measured at rest and after running. carbonic acid.
The results are shown in the table below • the pH of the blood will drop
• Chemoreceptors in the carotid artery are stimulated by
Volume of air Breaths per the drop in pH.
per breath minute • Impulses are sent to the medulla oblongata
At rest 450 cm3 20 • Breathing and heart muscles are targeted
• Diaphragm and intercostal muscles contract increasing
After 1 000 cm3 38 the rate and depth of breathing.
running • Heart rate increases
• More CO2 moves to the lungs to be exhaled therefore
blood CO2 levels return to normal.
• Homeostasis is maintained.
 QUESTIONS
An investigation was carried out on a person in which the
volume of air taken in at each breath and number of 3.
breaths per minute were measured at rest and after 20% of the air breathed in consist of
running. oxygen, but only 16% of the air breathed
The results are shown in the table below out consist of oxygen. Calculate the
amount of oxygen entering the blood per
Volume of air per Breaths per
breath after running.
breath minute
At rest 450 cm3 20
Show your calculations
After 1 000 cm3 38 20% - 16% = 4%
running
4% of 1000 cm3 = 40cm3
HOMEOSTATIC CONTROL BY THE
KIDNEYS
HOMEOSTATIC REGULATION BY THE KIDNEYS
The kidney is involved in three
homeostatic mechanisms:
• the regulation of water level
(osmoregulation)
• the regulation of pH of the blood
• the regulation of salt levels in the
blood
THE REGULATION OF WATER
The homeostatic control of water and salt levels in
blood and tissue fluid is known as
osmoregulation.
Controlled by the ADH produced in the
hypothalamus and secreted by the pituitary gland
THE REGULATION OF WATER
THE REGULATION OF WATER
 THE REGULATION OF WATER
SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM
OSMOREGULATION
 REGULATION OF SALT LEVELS IN THE BLOOD
The blood and tissue fluids are affected by the presence of solutes (dissolved
substances). Sodium and potassium are salts that are found in the body fluids.
Sodium is important in the body for good nerve and muscle functioning.
REGULATION OF SALT LEVELS IN THE BLOOD
 REGULATION OF SALT LEVELS IN THE BLOOD
The blood and tissue fluids are affected by the presence of solutes (dissolved
substances). Sodium and potassium are salts that are found in the body fluids.
Sodium is important in the body for good nerve and muscle functioning.
 REGULATION OF pH LEVELS IN THE BLOOD
• The ability of the distal convoluted tubule to take up hydrogen and
bicarbonate ions is important in the regulation of the pH of the blood.
Homeostasis is maintained.
 QUESTIONS
The diagrams below show the re-absorption of salt and water through 1. Name the hormone in a human body that is
the tubules of a nephron in the kidney under three different
conditions. The width of the arrows represents the amounts of salt responsible for controlling the:
and water. (a) Water content
ADH
(b) Salt content
Aldosterone
2 Name the gland that secretes the hormone in
QUESTION 1(b).
Adrenal gland
3. Which diagram (1, 2 or 3) would represent a
person who had eaten salty chips on a hot day
without any intake of water?
Diagram 3
 QUESTIONS
The diagram below represents one part of the negative
Describe the response that occurs when a
feedback response that occurs when a person is
person is dehydrated, after it has been
dehydrated.
detected by the brain.
The decrease in blood volume, as a result of the
excessive loss of water, is detected by the brain.) An increase in ADH causes the walls
of the kidney tubules
- to become more permeable to water
- More water is reabsorbed
- and the blood volume increases
- Less urine is produced
- and the urine is more concentrated
Identify the:
(a) Hormone X
ADH
(b) Endocrine gland that secretes hormone X
Pituitary gland
(c) Target organ
Kidneys
 QUESTIONS
Through homeostasis, the kidneys control the composition 2. Explain the difference in concentration of:
and volume of blood and tissue fluid. The table below (a) Glucose in the filtrate and in urine
compares the concentration of different substances in blood, Glucose is completely reabsorbed
filtrate and urine. . - in the proximal convoluted tubule
- by active absorption/against a concentration
gradient
- and passed into the 2nd capillary network
(b) Ammonium ions in blood and in urine
Ammonium ions are excreted
- from the 2nd capillary network
- by the epithelial cells of the distal convoluted
tubule
1. State what is meant by homeostasis. - into the tubular fluid
Homeostasis is the maintenance 3. State the percentage of glucose reabsorbed in the
- of a constant internal environment nephron, based on the results shown in the table.
100 %
 QUESTIONS
Through homeostasis, the kidneys control the composition (a) The hypothalamus is stimulated
and volume of blood and tissue fluid. The table below
- An impulse is sent to the pituitary gland
compares the concentration of different substances in blood,
filtrate and urine. . - to release more ADH into the bloodstream
- The walls of the distal convoluted tubule
/collecting tubules
- become more permeable to water
- Also, as a result of the sodium pump
pumping of sodium ions into the medulla
- a gradient is set up for osmosis
- Water leaves the tubules by osmosis
1. Describe the role of the hormones when the water
- and enters the medulla
content and salt concentration of the blood is low. -Water enters the bloodstream
(a) ADH - The water content of blood is increased
(b) Aldosterone back to normal
 QUESTIONS
Through homeostasis, the kidneys control the composition (b) More aldosterone is secreted
and volume of blood and tissue fluid. The table below
- by the adrenal glands
compares the concentration of different substances in blood,
filtrate and urine. . - The walls of the distal convoluted tubule
/collecting tubules
- become more permeable to sodium ions
- More sodium leaves the kidney tubules
- and enters the medulla
- from where it is absorbed into the second

- capillary network/bloodstream
- The salt content in the blood is thus
1. Describe the role of following the hormones when the
water content and salt concentration of the blood is low. increased back to normal
(a) ADH
(b) Aldosterone
What will follow in gr.12?
Pituitary Thyroid
gland release gland release
less TSH less thyroxin

Thyroxin level Thyroxin level

increases decreases

NORMAL THYROXIN
LEVELS
THANK YOU