Reference no: EM133520889

Lab Assignment: Homeostatic Control

How does the human body keep itself in balance?

Learning Objectives:

1. List some of the main physiological variables under homeostatic control
2. Employ appropriate vocabulary to discuss the processes and concepts of homeostasis
3. Explain the steps in a homeostatic pathway from stimulus to response
4. Compare different types of feedback loops
5. Identify signs of homeostatic disruption and determine the underlying mechanism

Introduction:

The human body is a very complex combination of finely-tuned machinery. Every organ system is dependent on the other to carry out its physiological functions along with maintaining an internal equilibrium. Homeostasis is the ability of the body to maintain an internal balance to in the body. So how does it always keep everything in balance? In this simulation, you will learn about the underlying regulatory workflow involved in the homeostatic process, through the examples of body temperature, blood pressure, and blood sugar regulation.

Observe homeostasis in action

You will test different settings on our virtual volunteer, Phineas. You will observe and analyze how the body reacts to the various stimuli such as changes in temperature, heart rate, and blood glucose levels in the body. Using a 3D model of the human body, you will be able to apply one or more stimuli on the test subject, to observe an immediate visible impact on physiological variables.

From your observations, you will identify the sensors detecting the stimuli, the control center processing them, and the effectors acting to counter them on Phineas' body.

Finally, you will interpret the resulting changes in those variables to explain the homeostatic phenomenon.

Part A: Complete LabsterHomeostatic Control

Part B: Report and Reflection

Purpose: Describe in your own words and in complete sentences, the purpose of this experiment.

Observations: List 2 observations you have made in this simulation.

Answer all the questions below:

I. Why is it essential to have maintain homeostasis?

II. Provide an example of positive feedback mechanism and identify the stimuli, the central processing unit and the effectors involved in the pathway.

III. In the simulation, what were the organs involved in homeostatic control?

IV. Using the figure below identify the abdominopelvic regions.

V. Reflection: Reflect on at least 2 key concepts you have learned from this simulation. How would you relate it to the physiological functions of the body?