Homeostasis - blood sugar and temperature
Homeostasis - blood sugar and temperature
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Homeostasis - blood sugar and temperature
14-16
The temperature in the core of the body; not at the surface of the skin
Blood sugar
The sugar (glucose) dissolved in the blood; the normal range is 4.0 - 7.8 mmol/l
Puberty
The time of gradual development of the secondary sexual characteristics and sexual maturity.
Insulin
A hormone produced by the pancreas. It allows cells in the body to take in and store glucose.
Homeostasis
The maintenance of a constant internal environment in the body
Glucose
A type of sugar: a mono saccharide with 6 carbon atoms (a hexose sugar).
Glucagon
A hormone produced by the pancreas. It causes the liver to convert glycogen back to glucose and to release glucose into the bloodstream.
Glossary
A list of often difficult or specialised words with their definitions.
Enzymes
Reusable protein molecules which act as biological catalysts, changing the rate of chemical reactions in the body without being affected themselves
Cells
The basic unit from which all living organisms are built up, consisting of a cell membrane surrounding cytoplasm and a nucleus.
Homeostasis - Sugar balance and temperature control
Homeostasis describes the functions of your body which work to keep your internal environment constant within a very narrow range. Two important aspects of homeostasis are balancing the blood sugar levels and maintaining the body temperature.
Your body is made up of millions of cells which need the conditions inside your body to be as constant as possible so they can work properly. However everything you do tends to change your internal conditions.
You take millions of new molecules into your body when you eat and digest food. Your blood sugar levels soar after you have a meal - but your cells use up the glucose fast when you exercise hard. You release heat energy every time you move about, the amount of water you take into and lose from your body varies all the time and your cells are constantly producing poisonous waste (see Homeostasis - the kidneys and water balance .)
The blood sugar levels in your body are coordinated by hormones, chemicals which regulate and balance the working of organs and cells. Hormones are made in endocrine glands and are carried around the body to their target organs in the blood stream.
Some hormones have long term effects, for example, the hormones that control how you grow and the changes that happen at puberty. Other hormones have shorter term effects. The hormones insulin and glucagon which control your blood sugar levels are like this.
It is important that the core temperature of your body stays within a very small range for the enzymes in the cells of your body to work properly. Your skin is one of the most important organs in the control of body temperature.
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