HOMEWORK

1. Explain why homeostasis is important to your body's functioning.

Homeostasis means to maintain constant internal temperature. It is important because it helps cells function properly. This is because without homeostasis cells in certain organelles can be damaged. For example, if an enzyme becomes damaged, it won’t be able to catalyze certain molecules that your body may need.

The lack of homeostasis can also cause dehydration, hypertension, diabetes, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia and many other imbalances

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2. Give three examples of ways your skin helps maintain homeostasis in your body.

-          Skin helps maintain homeostasis in our body by regulating sweat being released. This “evaporation” helps the body cool down.

-          Skin helps maintain homeostasis in our body by dilatation of the blood vessels in our skin, which helps create a higher flow of blood, helping the body cool down.

-          Skin helps maintain homeostasis in our body by thermiogenesis which generates heat by raising the body’s metabolic rate and by shivering.

3. Explain one way that your body maintains a constant temperature while outside on a cold day.

On a cold day my body maintains a constant temperature by shivering. This causes the muscles to contract releasing heat, which helps maintain a constant body temperature. 




Bibliography

IHW (march, 2006).Homeostasis (www.biologymad.com). Retrieved on 11 November, 2010 from http://www.biologymad.com/resources/A2%20Homeostasis.pdf

Cartage (n.d). Skin and Heomostasis (www.cartage.org). Retrieved on 11 November 2010 from http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/sciences/lifescience/generalbiology/physiology/IntegumentarySystem/Integumentary/SkinandHomeostasis/SkinandHomeostasis.htm