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Homeostasis refers to the state of equilibrium within certain body conditions. For example, there are normal, healthy set points (usually a narrow range) for body temperature, blood pressure, blood glucose levels, hydration, and more. If there is a change in the internal or external environment that affects a state of equilibrium, adjustments will occur to re-establish the preferred set point.
For example, normal body temperature is approximately 37℃. If you are too hot, blood vessels near your skin will dilate (get wider) so that heat can be released from your body, and you may also begin to sweat. If you are too cold, blood vessels near your skin will constrict (become narrower) so as to keep your body’s core warm. You may also start to shiver, which is an involuntary contraction of muscles for the purposes of generating heat.
Homeostasis is maintained by the human endocrine and nervous systems, often using a negative feedback loop. A negative feedback loop is a self-correcting mechanism where:
A variable causes a disruption to equilibrium
This disruption is detected and triggers and a counteracting response is triggered, which brings the body system back to equilibrium
Figure 3. Generalized negative feedback loop used to maintain homeostasis
Watch this video about homeostasis and feedback:
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