Why Is Homeostasis Important

Homeostasis-Blood Glucose Regulation

Definition of Homeostasis

Homeostasis is the maintenance of a constant internal environment of an organism despite external fluctuations. All complex multi-cellular organisms maintain this internal environment at it’s optimal point by using their organs system. An example of this is the blood glucose regulation within humans.

Purpose of Homeostasis

The purpose of the homeostatic system is to keep the internal factors of the human body within the range at which it can function normally; and therefore allow the body to perform at it’s optimal level to survive and cope with the body’s external and internal activities. For example, a few internal factors homeostasis works to keep within the maintainable range

When we eat, the body works to break down our food to this simplest form of organic molecule. Once the glucose is obtained, it is released into the bloodstream to be delivered to the cells, which is then absorbed into the cell and undergoes the process of respiration to get ATP. Most excess glucose is then stored as glycogen, mostly in the liver, so that the body tissues which need a constant glucose supply are able to get it without us having to be constantly eating.

How the Components work to regulate Blood Glucose

There are 3 main components of the negative feedback system that works to keep the internal body at a set point; the sensor/receptor: which senses the stress and sends signals either through the nervous system or hormones to the control centre; the control centre: which receives the sensors message and sends an appropriate signal related to the stress, to the effector; and the effector which, once receiving the signal from the control centre, produces a response to the stress to reestablish the body back to the set point. 7. Once homeostasis is reached, the system shuts off (negative feedback)

Diagram for High Blood Glucose Levels 23

This process is called glycation, which is the bonding of glucose and amino acids without the presence of enzymes. This chemical reaction eventually produces an end product of what are known as AGEs (advanced glycation end products). AGEs are known for its ability for covalent crosslink between the AGE molecule itself and other proteins in the body, subsequently altering the shape and form of the protein itself and creating a domino effect (AGE is mostly known as an “aging product” as it deforms the amino acids of the body, aging the body faster in the process of breaking down). The more glucose there is in the body, and if left untreated for a period of time, the more AGEs molecules that will be produced due to the high glucose molecules available for this reaction to occur. As such, having a high blood glucose level often (both in a diabetic and non-diabetic) can speed up the body's aging process as it breaks down the body’s organic molecules. Thus, the body uses insulin to counteract this stimulus. For the diabetics, where insulin is difficult to manage, the glucose molecules are constantly attacking the body’s proteins, which is why most diabetics have a shorter lifespan than a normal person. Another reason high glucose levels are dangerous is because it can increase other health problems such as kidney and heart disease, liver disease and affect the nervous