P5 - Homeostasis is ‘the process of maintaining a constant internal environment despite changing environments’ (Aldworth, Billingham, Moonie, & Talman, 2010). The internal environment that our body consists of is made up of blood, tissue fluid, body cell components and our metabolism and its process. Constant internal environment means that the chemical and physical composition should remain within a limited range in order to make it as effective as possible. Keeping the valuables within a limited range not only makes sure that the body’s processes are as effective as possible, keeping the well-being of the whole body and its maintenance up to good standards.
Heart rate
Negative feedback is a way in which regulation occurs within the body which requires receptors, your control centre and effectors in order to be able to function properly. When key variables within the body are outside the accepted range for any reason negative feedback returns the variable within it’s acceptable range. An example would be if the PH of your blood changes for any reason or you become too hot after exercise so your body tries to regulate those variables back within the suitable ranges by different methods. Blood glucose levels may fall for any reasons and the bodies way of coping with this is to produce liver glycogen which is converted into glucose in order to bring the energy levels in cells back up to the range which it should be within. Our brain and nervous system are involved in negative feedback and play vital roles in controlling the homeostatic mechanisms within our bodies and they also allow us to have a reasonable judgement at when our key variables may rise. An example would be when we have not eaten for several hours and we begin to feel tired and cold you try to eat a hot, energy filled meal in order to counteract any negative feelings that you may be having.

Heart beat is regulated by the control of the cardiac cycle as well as the role of the autonomic, parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous cycle. The control of the heart is regulated by the autonomic nervous system which is made up of two different things which are the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system acts like an accelerator to your heartbeat as it causes each beat to increase in strength when the body is undergoing muscular work, in under stress or is fearful. This nervous system is aided by the hormone adrenaline during times when you are frightened, in fight or during flight, the nerves which it requires are the cardiac nerves. The parasympathetic nervous system relaxes the heart and is active during a state of rest as well as during a period of contentment. The main nerve of the parasympathetic nervous system is the vagus nerve which if severed will cause the heart to beat faster.
Both nervous systems require a special cluster of excitable cells in the upper part of the right atrium called the Sino-Atrial nodes (S.A.) also known as the ‘pacemaker’. Impulses from both types of nerves act on the S.A. node in order to regulate the hearts activity to suit the circumstances and the pressure that it is under at the time. Every few seconds the S.A. node sends out clusters of nerve impulses causing the heart to contract. The medulla is the lowest part of the brain above the spinal cord. There are two important centres which control heart rate that are locates in the medulla and they are the cardio-inhibitory centre and the vasomotor centre. The cardio-inhibitory centre contains the origins of the parasympathetic fibres of the vagus nerve which reaches the S.A. node. The sympathetic fibres descend through the spinal cord from the vasomotor centre.
Baroreceptors are found in the walls of the aorta and part of the carotid arteries (deliver blood to the head and neck) which detect changes in blood pressure. These receptors detect any change and relay the information about the change to the cardiac centre by nerve impulses. Vagus nerve activity slows your heart rate down and will decrease blood pressure back to normal as a result of this. Thermoreceptors are those that are sensitive to temperature changes which are located in the skin and deep inside the body. These receptors relay information by nerve impulses to the hypothalamus in the brain which supports feedback systems. Adrenaline is secreted from the adrenal gland due to fear, stress and excretion stimulates the S.A. node which boosts the effects of the sympathetic nervous system. Thermoreceptors indicate a rise in body temperature and cause the hypothalamus to activate the sympathetic nervous system which causes heart rate to increase.
Breathing rate
When talking about our breathing rate we focus on the automatic pilot for out ventilation rate although we do not notice minor variations to our breathing rate which are due to the homeostatic regulations which occur within the body. When taking deep breaths or holding a breath we are voluntarily controlling our breathing which is not due to homeostasis. When extra carbon dioxide is produced due to our metabolism our breathing rates will be increased until we have got rid of the excess carbon dioxide from our bodies. A period of forced ventilation such as when we gasp will lower the carbon dioxide levels within the body and homeostatic mechanisms will either slow down or stop breathing until levels return to normal within the body.
Internal receptors such as stretch receptors in muscles and tissues that relay nerve impulses to the brain about ventilation from the degree of stretch of the muscles and other tissues. Intercostal muscles contain many stretch receptors. Chemoreceptors detect chemical changes and supply this information to the brain. There are two different types of chemoreceptors which are central and peripheral. Central chemoreceptors monitor hydrogen ions and are located in the medulla. An increase in hydrogen concentration will cause an increase in breathing rate in order to get rid of the hydrogen due to homeostasis. Peripheral chemoreceptors monitor oxygen concentration and when oxygen levels are low in our body we have an increase in our breathing rate. This type of chemoreceptors are located around the aorta and carotid arteries and are scattered around and they are known as aortic and carotid sinuses.
The upper part of the brain known as the cerebral cortex is responsible for voluntary control of breathing and the involuntary centre which is known as the respiratory centre is located in the medulla. Both the voluntary and involuntary centre together are known as the pons and are both located at the bottom of the brain. Information that both centres receive are from internal receptors regarding ventilation. The respiratory centre is similar to a respiratory pacemaker. In our body we have two types of nerve cells which allow us to breathe properly and these are known as the inspiratory and expiratory centres which work at different times. The inspiratory centre sends nerve impulses to the phrenic nerve in the brain and the thoracic nerve sends impulses to the intercostal muscles in order to cause contraction which is known as inspiration. Inspiration stops when receptors detect that the chest and lungs are fully expanded and let the inspiratory centre know. This then sends nerve impulses to the respiratory muscles which causes us to relax and expiration occurs. This cycle is modified by the information coming from receptors such as chemoreceptors which effect homeostatic regulation.
Body temperature
We can survive in both tropical and polar regions and are the only animal that is able to do this. Our efficient thermo-regulatory homeostatic process and our intelligence make this possible as our body temperature varies minimally and stays within the range that it should. The main aim of the homeostatic mechanism is to keep the inner core of our bodies (where our organs are) within the suitable range allowing the rest of our body such as our limbs and skin to adapt to changing conditions due to external temperatures. At low temperatures (e.g. -30C) the water in our body would freeze whereas at high temperatures (e.g. +50C) enzymes in our body would be altered and even denature. We would not be able to survive with our bodies being full of frozen water or our enzymes being denatured so homeostatic regulation of our body temperature is vital.
The skin is a vital organ and happens to be the largest as it covers the outer surface of our body, our skin is constantly being replaced as new cells form and replace those that have shed from the surface. Our skin has many functions such as it helps boost our immunity, making us waterproof and providing a micro-proof covering for our body. Homeostatic regulations of body temperature require the skin as it is part of the nervous system due to its sensitivity. Skin varies in thickness at different points on the body in order to suit its function and is divided into two layers – a thinner outer layer known as the epidermis and a thicker inner layer known as the dermis. Hair follicles are also an extension of the epidermis as they run into the dermis and produce hair made of keratin. These hair follicles are attached to oil glands which coat hair and make them water proof. The bottom layer of skin contains pigment cells which produce our skin colour and the pigment melanin protects damage to structures in the body from ultra-violet light. Nerve endings have specific specialised receptors that detect temperatures change, pain, touch and pressure against the skin. Hair erector muscles contract (from the sensation of coldness) meaning the hair becomes erect (hairs stand on end) and the skin is covered in lumps (known as goose bumps).
A metabolic process that takes place in the body generates heat and although chemical reactions release energy to drive a process such as muscle contractions some energy is always released as heat. The liver is the place within the body where hundreds of chemical reactions take place every day so it is a massive generator of heat. The liver however does not feel hot as blood distributes the heat produced from the liver throughout the body. Other heat that the body gains is produced by hot food and drink and even the sun’s rays in some circumstances. Skin capillaries are in networks under the outer layer of skin. When we are hot we need to lose heat from the skin and there are four main ways that we lose heat from our skin. Conduction occurs which is where we heat up everything we touch including clothes, seats and stationary, convection occurs as we heat up the air around us which rises and the cold air replaces the hot air that was by the ground.
Radiation occurs where heat will pass from our skin to cooler objects around us and the same can happen the other way if we are cold so hot objects around us can pass their heat to us such as the sun or a fire. Evaporation of sweat is due to the fact that we sweat when we become hot in order to cool the skin down and heat from the skin will cause it to evaporate. The main ways in which we regulate our body temperature are by radiation and the evaporation of sweat.
Receptors in our body that detect temperature changes are located in the peripheral skin as well as around our internal organs. Receptors are cells which are specially adapted with nerve fibres that run up the spine and connect to the temperature centre (the hypothalamus) in the brain. The hypothalamus sends nerve impulses to muscles, sweat glands, skin and blood vessels in order to counteract the external temperature changes that have been detected by the receptors.
An example of how homeostatic mechanisms regulate a falling body temperature starts with a stimulus so the body temperature falls due to exposure to cold. This is then detected by thermal receptors in the skin as well as those around the internal organs which all become stimulated. The receptors then send nerve impulses to the control centre in the brain which decides which mechanisms it needs in order to preserve heat. This control centre then sends nerve impulses to effectors which will help preserve heat. Three types of effectors are sweat glands, arterioles in the skin and our behaviour. When we are cold our sweat glands close so that no sweat can leave the body as well as our muscles contraction causing us to shiver. The arterioles in our skin contract in order to decrease the blood flow to our skin to stop the radiation that occurs at the surface of the skin. Finally, our behaviour is altered so we may have a hot drink, curl up and put on extra layers of clothes in order to try and make ourselves warmer. This all causes the response of body temperature to increased.
Blood glucose
Carbohydrates are broken down in our digestive system to produce simple soluble sugars and the main one that is produced is glucose so after a meal that is rich in carbohydrates our blood glucose levels start to increase. When our blood glucose levels are increased the production of insulin is stimulated and insulin regulates the concentration of glucose in the blood as well as making sure that enough glucose is received by actively respiting cells by absorption. If insulin is not present, then very little glucose in able to pass through cell membranes so the plasma level of glucose rises. Individuals who have untreated diabetes where their body does not produce enough insulin have high plasma glucose levels which lead to other biological disturbances. Health people do not have a problem with producing insulin and regulating plasma glucose levels as insulin converts glucose into liver glycogen for storage. When blood glucose falls glycogen is secreted which converts liver glycogen from storage into glucose that is released into the blood stream. Both hormones have receptors which identify falling and rising plasma glucose levels.
Another hormone, adrenaline, also plays a part in regulating blood glucose levels due to homeostasis. Adrenaline is released by the adrenal glands when the sympathetic nervous system is under stress and acts against insulin to covert liver glycogen into glucose. Glucose provides energy for muscles in order for them to become active under emergency situations. Adrenaline also converts fats into fatty acids which will be used for muscle contraction. When the emergency is over insulin will become active again and will store and excess glucose as it did before.

M2 - There are many changes which occur in the body during exercise and when returning your body back to the normal range which the data should be between due to homeostasis. Homeostasis is a vitally important mechanism which occurs throughout our body to make sure that important data stays between a range which it is suitable in. this mechanism is important during exercise when our data sometimes wants to exceed the range but homeostasis makes sure that during exercise it remains between the suitable range. Homeostatic mechanisms help specific types of data stay within a certain range in all aspects of our everyday life. There are many instances in which we require our homeostatic mechanisms to work faster or more often in order to make sure that the important pieces of data within our body stay within a specific range and this could be due to exercise or stress for example. During exercise many changes take place both inside and outside of our body in order to make sure that we keep our temperature within a specific range, our heart does not beat too fast, our breathing rate increases and our blood glucose levels stay within a suitable range.

During exercise your muscles require a lot more oxygen then they do normally in order to keep them functioning and working at the pace that they need to, to make sure that they can carry out the exercise that you want them to. There is not enough oxygen in your body normally to supply your cells and muscles with the oxygen they need during exercise so your breathing rate increases to make sure that you get more oxygen in which can be given to the muscles which require it and get more carbon dioxide out. The faster you exercise the quicker you use up the oxygen that you have taken in so your breathing rate increases again in order to cope with the demand for oxygen that your body has at this given time. Therefore, the faster you exercise the faster your breathing rate becomes to supply your body’s demand. When our breathing rate increases it not only means that we get more oxygen into our blood stream and therefore to our muscles and organs quicker but it also means that we dispose of carbon dioxide quicker. Getting rid of carbon dioxide means that we have a smaller build-up of lactic acid in our muscles so they are able to work more efficiently and we can get more oxygen into our blood steam. This is backed up by our evidence as after a period of exercise mine, Jess’ and Megan’s breathing rates all rose and gradually fell after we had inhaled all the oxygen which our bodies needed.
When we exercise our heart rate also increases due to the fact that our muscles require more blood and nutrients and we need to keep our rising temperature within a specific and suitable range. Our cardiovascular system and therefore our heart is responsible for delivering blood and nutrients to our muscles and for maintaining our body temperature within its range. When you are in a period of exercise your muscles that are working in that exercise require more oxygen so your body responds to its demand or oxygen. The response which your body has is to increase your heart rate in order to pump more blood around your body and faster as your blood contains things that your working muscles need which not all other muscles and organs do during a period of exercise. During exercise your produce certain hormones such as adrenaline and these signal that you require more blood and nutrients to specific muscles in the body so your heart rare is increased. This means that you can send more oxygen and nutrients to the muscles that need it via your blood stream. This is apparent in exercise from the data which we collected as all three of our data showed that our heart rate increased after exercise before slowly returning to normal and this meant that after exercise our heart pumped the blood around our bodies quicker.
Exercise means that you have an increase in body temperature which is controlled by homeostatic mechanisms in order to make sure that it stays within its suitable range but exercise first has to increase it in order for homeostasis to work hard at keeping it within its range. In order to keep your body temperature within its specific range there are a number of things which happen both internally and externally but only the internal ones are caused by homeostatic mechanisms. As we get hot our blood vessels dilate which means that we have an increased flow of blood to our surface which means that the heat can then be transferred from us to the area surrounding us. It also means that our skin heats up before the area around us does so we sweat as we lose some of the water in our skin and this the evaporates due to the heat that is in our skin. We breathe during all activities of everyday life and when we get hot this is no exception, the main difference is that when we get hot we breathe out hot air and breathe in cooler air which in turn can help to cool our internal body temperature down. By our blood vessels dilating, our sweat evaporating and us breathing out hot air we cool ourselves down and maintain a suitable and steady temperature due to homeostasis. From the data which we collected during our periods of exercise and measurements we can see that Megan’s temperature rose quite dramatically after she had just completed a period of exercise and then only changed slightly after that.
We break down carbohydrates into glucose constantly as our body requires immediate energy during certain aspects of our lives and during exercise our body requires a lot of energy in order to allow us to keep performing at the same level. Once we have broken down carbohydrates into glucose and used the majority of it for the immediate energy that we need then we store the rest as glycogen for when we next need it. During Exercise we need energy in order to make sure that our muscles keep working at the same level they are and have the energy which they require in order to make sure that the actions they need to carry out in order to allow you to exercise occur. Therefore, when we exercise we not only use up the immediate glucose which is produced by breaking down carbohydrates that we have eaten but we also use up the stores of glycogen in our lives and muscles cells in order to make sure that our muscles can carry out the movements required for longer. During exercise we use up a lot more glucose and glycogen which would not be possible without homeostatic mechanisms to make sure that we have both these energy sources and can change glycogen into glucose.
There are many changes which occur within our body during exercise to allow us to carry out the exercise to the best of our ability and for as long as we require. This however would not be possible without the homeostatic mechanisms that we have which allow us to alter the way we react in exercise but keep our important data within specific ranges so that we are still able to function normally.
(Maintaining homeostasis during exercise , 2015)

P6 - Over course of carrying out exercise and the time after it many key variables within your bod are altered in order to allow you to cope with the change. Three main variables which change slightly in order to cope with the changes and stress of exercise but stay within their normal and suitable range are breathing rate, pulse and temperature. During periods of exercise me, Jess and Megan all had significant changes which occurred in our body in order to allow us to cope with the effects of exercise.
Figure 1 shows that a period of exercise which altered timewise depending on who was involved effects your pulse as it increases after a period of exercise and gradually decreases. This is backed up by the data which we collected during our measurements after doing the step test. Mine, Jess’ and Megan’s results all show that our pulses increased after a period of exercise in order to cope with the changes that our body going through and the stress that it was under during and after a period of exercise. All of our pulses increased and they all increased by around the same amount after a period of exercise which shows that our bodies were roughly under the same amount of stress during and after exercise. During the time after we had completed a period of exercise all our pulses gradually declined and at the end of the three minutes they had still not declined back to their normal levels but were on their way down to being back to normal. Even though all our pulses increased during a period of exercise they still stayed within their normal range due to homeostasis. Our pulse rate rises as more blood is being forced through the arteries every minute in order to supply the demand that our muscles have for more oxygen and nutrients that they need.
M3 – I believe that the data which we recorded concerning the change in our pulses before, during and after a period of exercise are valid and reliable. In my opinion this is the case for our recording of the change which we undergo regarding our pulses as although we had different people taking our pulse it was the same person to take it each time and it was taken from the same place. Having the same person take it each time meant that they would count it in the same way and would count the beats they felt each time if they were the same strength as the others they had already recorded. It also meant that they were less likely to be miscounted and a beat was less likely to be missed compared to if someone else had measured it differently the second time. It also meant that we were less likely to get confused between reading if we all took specific readings from someone and wrote them down immediately.
P6 - Figure 2 shows the change of mine, Jess’ and Megan’s breathing rate before and after a period of exercise and shows that there is a pattern with the way that Jess’ and Megan’s changed but mine does not follow the pattern. Both Jess’ and Megan’s breathing rate followed a similar pattern where their heart rate increased by around 15 breaths per minute. After their period of exercise both Jess’ and Megan’s breathing rate declined quite drastically in the first minute after exercise but after that it declined at a slower steadier pace. However, after exercise and the period of time which we recorded our data for after the period of exercise our breathing rates all recorded differently. My breathing rate took more time to become drastically less than it was after a period of exercise whereas once Megan’s had come down it did not alter much in the rest of the time and therefore was not near normal. Jess’s breathing rate ended up being less than her resting rate was to start with after we had measured her results for the time after exercise, Megan’s breathing rate did not end up back to her resting breathing rate for the period of time after exercise and nor did mine. Our breathing rate increases during and after exercise to cope with the demands of our body. During exercise our muscles and other organs demand more oxygen which we get by increasing the amount of oxygen we breathe in so we breathe more often in order to cope with that demand. Once the demand has been met then our breathing rate is able to return to normal.
M3 – In my opinion these readings are also valid and reliable as we responded to them in the same way that we did with pulse by having the same person take our readings each time and making sure that they were recorded immediately to stop any confusion from occurring. This meant that the same person would regard the same strengths of breaths each time and would therefore have a better more accurate number than if we had changed who had taken the data each time. It also meant that there was therefore likely to be less mistakes as the data was recorded in the same way each time and was counted in the same way making it allow more accurate than otherwise. Therefore, every time we needed the measurements to be taken the person knew what measurement they had to take and would then write it down when they had taken it making it a lot more effective as well as reliable and valid as the data was taken quickly and correctly.
P6 - Temperature is another variable which can change drastically during and after exercise due to the amount of stress that our body is under and the processes which are taking place inside it. Figure three shows how mine and Megan’s temperature hanged during and after exercise. After a period of exercise your temperature should rise due to the chemical reactions that are taking place in your body during exercise to allow you to carry it out. This is clear by Megan’s results as her temperature clearly rose after a period of exercise. Mine and Jess’ temperatures cannot show this as Jess had a bad thermometer which would not take any of her readings other than her resting temperature and I had a bad thermometer which would not take my reading for straights after the exercise. The only results which are suitable to back up this statement and have all their readings are the results for Megan’s temperature as she had a good thermometer and her temperature rose after completing a period of exercise. Her temperature did however carry on rising after the period of exercise as did mine before it declined. Megan’s temperature did not decrease during our period of recording it after her short period of exercise.
M3 – Temperature is recorded and taken differently so the validity of the data which has been or has not been collected is likely to be very different to those which we have recorded ourselves. The results that we have recorded for the change in temperature before, during and after exercise are not very reliable and the pervious data which we recorded ourselves is a lot more reliable. Figure 3 shows temperature and the reading that I have just after I have completed my period of exercise was not 0 but rather the thermometer did not work so my results are not reliable or valid. The first result that I took before my period of exercise was taken by measuring the heat in my armpit whereas the measurements that were taken after my period of exercise were taken orally. Therefore, due to them being measure in different places my results are not valid. Jess’ results are not on the graph as we only managed to get a result for before she completed her exercise as afterwards her thermometer would not work and we could not get another one to work at that given time either. Megan’s are the only reliable temperature results that we took. Overall figure 3 shows that our temperature rose after exercise due to the result of the reactions that are taking place in the body.
During and after a period of exercise the data that we collected from recording each other’s important pieces of data proves that our body changes in different ways in which to cope with the demand that it is pit under. Our body is put under many different stresses and demands during and after exercise and due to homeostasis it copes with this and allows our important data to remain within a suitable and specific range. There are a range of results and not all of them can be valid but there are always reasons and ways in which they can be valid and reliable.
D2 - Homeostasis is vitally important at keeping important pieces of data within a suitable range which keeps us alive as well as the end result. The main pieces of data which are affected by homeostasis and without homeostasis controlling them we would have large negative effects on us and our health are heart rate, breathing rate, blood glucose levels and our temperature. Homeostasis means that these different pieces of data stay within a suitable range so that we stay healthy.
It is necessary that we keep our pulse within a specific range in order to allow us to have blood that is pumped around our body due to our heart. Our pulse is what we can detect when an artery is close to the body’s surface and runs over a firm structure such as a bone. Blood passes through the artery and the pulse that we feel is the elastic expansion and recoil of our arteries when blood passes through them. We require homeostasis to keep numerous different important pieces of information that we have in our body within a small and specific range in order to allow us to function as well as possible. Homeostasis makes sure that our heart rate stays within a select range of beats per minute in order to allow us to function correctly. If our heart rate is too high, then we have tachycardia which means that the heart is unable to effectively pump oxygen to the cells in your body when they require it. You are also more likely to feel dizzy and lightheaded if you have tachycardia due to the cells in your body not getting the oxygen and nutrients from the blood that they need. Therefore, homeostasis makes sure that our heart beats at a suitable speed meaning that the cells throughout or body get the oxygen and nutrients that they require in order to be able to function effectively and correctly. (About Tachycardia , 2016)
However, if your heart beat is too low then we develop an illness known as bradycardia which may mean that your heart beats slowly but is still healthy and normal or it may mean that there is a problem with the hearts electrical system. Homeostasis helps to make sure that your heart rate is kept within a suitable range where possible to allow you to stay healthy and for the different cells within your body to receive the oxygen and nutrients that they need. Having a slow heart rate can have a similar effect on the body as having a fast heart rate and you can have similar effects on you such as feeling dizzy or lightheaded or having chest pains to name a few symptoms. Having a slow heart rate can affect you in many ways and can affect every aspect of your life as it will also affect the amount of oxygen or nutrients that your cells are able to receive so it will affect what you will be able to do and how easily you will be able to do certain things. Therefore, in order to be able to do things easily and for you to be healthy throughout every aspect of everyday life it is important to have homeostasis which will keep your heart beating at a steady and constant healthy pace.
Having either a fast or slow heart rate can have many effects on the body and it can mean many things. You may feel out of breath quicker so will not want to exercise as much, you may become tired a lot quicker, you may have chest pains and you may faint more often to name a few of the symptoms which can arise from having a very slow heart rate.
Homeostasis is vitally important at maintaining a constant and healthy heart beat but it is also important that your blood glucose levels stay within a suitable range as well. If your blood glucose levels are a lot lower than they should be you may have hypoglycaemia and if they are a lot higher than they should be then you are likely to have hyperglycaemia. Both these mean that your blood glucose levels are out of the recommended and normal ranges which they should be within and they can therefore have many effects and complications on you. There are many effects that someone with hyperglycaemia may notice which may affect them in more than one way. Someone with high blood glucose levels may often find that they are very thirsty and have a dry mouth, they may also be tired a lot and have the need to go to the toilet a lot more frequently than someone who has a normal blood glucose level. (Hyperglycaemia , 2015)
Therefore, it is not only incredibly important that we do not have high blood glucose levels but it is also important that we allow our homeostasis to make sure that our blood glucose levels stay within a suitable range as having blood glucose levels that are too low can also cause us to become unwell and for us to develop hypoglycaemia. Hypoglycaemia can have many different signs and symptoms which can affect you and your everyday life. There are many different things which can affect you and many things about you. If you suffer from hypoglycaemia then you are likely to be shaky, nervous, have the chills and be irritable to name a few of the many different signs and symptoms which can be caused. There are many different signs and symptoms which can be caused from having hypoglycaemia which can all affect you in different ways and if you had your bodies homeostatic mechanisms to keep you blood glucose levels under control then you would not be having any of these issues and your body would be functioning normally. Your blood glucose levels can affect many different aspects of your everyday life and can alter how you do many things so it is necessary that your homeostatic mechanism keep your blood glucose levels within a suitable range and under control on a daily basis. (Hypoglycaemia, 2016)
It is important that our body temperature stays within a narrow range and homeostasis makes sure that it stays within this range in order to make sure that it does not become too high or too low. Having a body temperature which is too high or too low can be incredibly dangerous and we have homeostasis to make sure that our body temperature stays within a suitable range and this will therefore mean that there will be less complication and your body will be suitable. Having a low body temperature is known as hypothermia which normally occurs after being exposed to freezing temperatures for a period of time. Hypothermia can be deadly and it is your body going into shock after being exposed to freezing cold temperatures or it going into shock due to exposure to certain substances such as alcohol or drugs. It can also be caused by an infection and all are deadly as they can be fatal to the body and the temperature can create harsh conditions for the rest of the body which it is not able to function properly in.
Heatstroke is the opposite of hypothermia and occurs when the body gets too hot and is not cooled down by homeostasis. Heatstroke is when the body cannot control its own temperature so its temperature keeps rising and rising. There are many symptoms of heatstroke which can affect someone badly and can have many impacts on them such as confusion, delirium and unconsciousness. All of these are some of the more fatal outcomes of heatstroke and some of the more serious effects that it can have on the body. If someone has heatstroke they should seek medical attention immediately as it can be deadly and due to you becoming dehydrated when your body temperature rises your organs can become dehydrated and even shut down. (Body Temperature, 2016)
Overall if key variables within our body are not kept within a narrow range due to homeostasis then we are likely to become ill and it can affect us in many ways. Homeostasis is there in order to make sure that the variables stay in a suitable range and we can therefore function well and effectively without being ill. We need our bodies to perform homeostasis all the time in order to make sure that our blood glucose levels, body temperature, breathing rate and blood pressure all remain within suitable ranges so that our organs keep working properly and that there are no problems which take place in our body.