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Related Concept Videos

Positive and Negative Feedback Loops01:18

Positive and Negative Feedback Loops

Animal organs and organ systems constantly adjust to internal and external changes through a process called homeostasis ("steady state"). Examples of these changes include regulation of the level of glucose or calcium in the blood or internal responses to external temperatures. Homeostasis requires  maintaining an internal dynamic equilibrium:
What is Homeostasis?01:16

What is Homeostasis?

Maintaining homeostasis requires that the body continuously maintain its internal conditions. Each physiological condition has a particular set point, from body temperature to blood pressure to levels of certain nutrients. A set point is the physiological value around which the normal range fluctuates. A normal range is a restricted set of values that is optimally healthful and stable. For example, the set point for normal human body temperature is approximately 37°C (98.6°F). Physiological...
Homeostatic Imbalance01:10

Homeostatic Imbalance

Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment within the body, which is crucial for the proper functioning of cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems. The body has various control mechanisms that work together to regulate various physiological parameters such as temperature, blood pressure, pH balance, and fluid balance, to name a few. These control mechanisms are based on feedback loops that can be either positive or negative.
However, sometimes these feedback loops fail,...
pH Homeostasis01:31

pH Homeostasis

Acid-base homeostasis is essential for maintaining normal physiological activities in humans. The pH of various body fluids is strictly regulated because it is critical for the optimal activity of enzymes involved in metabolic reactions. Enzymes are basically proteins, so, any significant change in pH can affect their structure and activity. In humans, pH is regulated using three primary mechanisms— chemical buffer systems, respiratory regulation, and renal regulation.
Respiratory Regulation of...
Homeostatic Imbalances in Body Temperature01:19

Homeostatic Imbalances in Body Temperature

Hyperthermia occurs when the body's temperature becomes unusually high, often due to heat exposure, intense physical activity, or certain illnesses. This condition can create a dangerous cycle where elevated body temperature increases the metabolic rate, generating more heat and potentially leading to organ failure and brain damage. A severe form of hyperthermia, called heat stroke, can raise body temperature to life-threatening levels. Fever, on the other hand, is a controlled form of...
Physiology of Respiration II: Neurogenic Control of Respiration01:22

Physiology of Respiration II: Neurogenic Control of Respiration

The neurogenic control of respiration coordinates various neural networks and pathways to regulate breathing rate and depth, meeting the body's oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange requirements. This system adapts to physiological and environmental conditions, ensuring optimal breathing patterns.
Central Control
The brainstem is the primary site of central control, hosting respiratory centers:

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Using Caenorhabditis elegans as a Model System to Study Protein Homeostasis in a Multicellular Organism
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Published on: December 18, 2013

Core concepts in physiology: teaching homeostasis through pattern recognition.

Michael Chirillo1, Dee U Silverthorn2, Predrag Vujovic3

  • 1Center for Learning and Memory, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas.

Advances in Physiology Education
|October 11, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Students struggled with homeostasis concepts until a new teaching approach reinforced physiological reflex patterns. This method improved understanding and application of homeostasis, leading to better academic performance.

Keywords:
core conceptshomeostasisinteractive teachingmisconceptionsphysiological reflexes

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Area of Science:

  • Physiology
  • Medical Education

Background:

  • Homeostasis is a fundamental concept in systems physiology.
  • Students often struggle to apply homeostasis principles to real-world scenarios.
  • Precourse assessments revealed a fragmented understanding of homeostasis among undergraduate biology students.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effectiveness of a novel teaching approach for homeostasis.
  • To improve students' ability to apply homeostasis principles to concrete examples and novel scenarios.

Main Methods:

  • Implemented a teaching strategy emphasizing consistent reinforcement of physiological reflex patterns.
  • Utilized diverse classroom activities promoting holistic understanding of organ system integration.
  • Conducted pre- and postcourse assessments to evaluate student learning.

Main Results:

  • Postcourse assessments showed improved student ability to provide examples of homeostasis and apply principles.
  • Students demonstrated enhanced understanding of organ system contributions to homeostasis.
  • Comparison with previous semesters indicated improved overall student performance.

Conclusions:

  • A teaching approach focused on physiological reflex patterns significantly enhances student comprehension and application of homeostasis.
  • This pedagogical strategy leads to improved academic outcomes in systems physiology courses.