homeostasis is the continual process that our brain and body go through to re‑balance our physiological systems
every function of our body has pre set limits — called the homeostatic range
homeostatic control is achieved using negative feedback mechanisms
when our brain receives a signal to tell it that too much of something is happening, it will take action to reduce it
if the level of something rises, the control system reduces it
if the level of something falls, the control system raises it
for example, normal body temperature is around 37°c
if our body temperature increases, thermo receptors in our skin tell our brain
our brain then sends out a message to widen our blood vessels
more blood moves outwards towards our skin, our pores open and we sweat, cooling our skin surface, reducing our temperature back to 37°c
conversely, if our body temperature decreases, thermo receptors in our skin tell our brain
our brain then sends out a messages to our skin and muscles, this time causing a narrowing of the blood vessels
more blood moves inwards to preserve our essential organs, our pores close, our muscles contract and we shiver
shivering creates heat, increasing our temperature back to 37°c
other functions monitored by the homeostatic system include:
- regulation of blood sugar level
- blood pressure regulation
- levels of cortisol production
- the pH balance of the body
mii‑chi helps you to keep your body balanced within its natural homeostatic ranges