" 'Homeostatic conditions,' to indicate DETAILS OF THE STABILITY"
--Walter Bradford Cannon
Homeostasis in the Cardiovascular System: The definition of homeostasis is quite straightforward: the tendency towards maintaining a stable environment. However, to maintain homeostasis, every system in our body has a role.
The role of the cardiovascular system in maintaining homeostasis is pretty extensive. If our heart ever stopped pumping blood, even if it was for only half of a minute, significant damage would've been done. The simple fact that our heart continues to pump blood is an clear-cut example of homeostasis. However, the number of other ways our cardiovascular system can maintain homeostasis are innumerable.
The role of the cardiovascular system in maintaining homeostasis is pretty extensive. If our heart ever stopped pumping blood, even if it was for only half of a minute, significant damage would've been done. The simple fact that our heart continues to pump blood is an clear-cut example of homeostasis. However, the number of other ways our cardiovascular system can maintain homeostasis are innumerable.
" 'Homeostatic reactions,' to signify
MEANS FOR MAINTAINING STABILITY"
--Walter Bradford Cannon
Examples of Homeostasis: As I mentioned beforehand, there are many ways our cardiovascular system can maintain homeostasis. Here are a few more:
1) Ditch the Sweating! In 90 degree weather, it is thanks to our integumentary and cardiovascular systems that we may take a brief reprieve. As a way to counteract heat, our capillaries dilate to allow heat from the blood to radiate off of the skin and out of the body, lowering body temperature. This preserves homeostasis by preventing overheating.
2) Heart Rates: Whenever you exercise, your cells use oxygen at a much higher level than if you were simply walking. Therefore, to maintain homeostasis and to allow our body to continue exercising, our heart rate speeds up to compensate. By speeding up our heart rate, our heart beats faster and pumps more blood to the cells that need the oxygen to continue to exercise. That way, homeostasis is maintained.
3) The Heart & The Kidneys: Without the heart, our kidneys wouldn't be able to filter wastes out of the body. The blood pressure provided by the heart allows the kidneys to do their job, eliminating wastes from out body.
1) Ditch the Sweating! In 90 degree weather, it is thanks to our integumentary and cardiovascular systems that we may take a brief reprieve. As a way to counteract heat, our capillaries dilate to allow heat from the blood to radiate off of the skin and out of the body, lowering body temperature. This preserves homeostasis by preventing overheating.
2) Heart Rates: Whenever you exercise, your cells use oxygen at a much higher level than if you were simply walking. Therefore, to maintain homeostasis and to allow our body to continue exercising, our heart rate speeds up to compensate. By speeding up our heart rate, our heart beats faster and pumps more blood to the cells that need the oxygen to continue to exercise. That way, homeostasis is maintained.
3) The Heart & The Kidneys: Without the heart, our kidneys wouldn't be able to filter wastes out of the body. The blood pressure provided by the heart allows the kidneys to do their job, eliminating wastes from out body.
"Special designations, therefore, are appropriate: 'HOMEOSTA SIS' TO DESIGNATE THE STABILITY OF ORGANISMS"
--Walter Bradford Cannon
Homeostasis in Our Bodies: However, the cardiovascular system isn't the only system that works to maintain homeostasis in our bodies. Homeostasis is a condition that is furthered and maintained by all systems in our bodies, from the integumentary system to the digestive system. Whether it's having a fever or simply shivering, homeostasis is the maintenance of the environment our body lives in. Basically, homeostasis is our body adapting to all of the hurdles life throws at it, and overcoming them.
Often times, though, teamwork trumps an individual's work. This idea communicates very well in terms of body systems working together to maintain homeostasis.
An example of our cardiovascular system working together with another system is when the blood the heart pumps provides our brain and spinal cord with glucose and oxygen, two nutrients essential to keeping the central nervous system functioning. Since after one minute devoid of oxygen, brain cells start to die, our nervous system is dependent on our cardiovascular system to maintain homeostasis.
All in all, our body has to work together to maintain homeostasis. By cooperating and performing their roles in the body, homeostasis is preserved.
Often times, though, teamwork trumps an individual's work. This idea communicates very well in terms of body systems working together to maintain homeostasis.
An example of our cardiovascular system working together with another system is when the blood the heart pumps provides our brain and spinal cord with glucose and oxygen, two nutrients essential to keeping the central nervous system functioning. Since after one minute devoid of oxygen, brain cells start to die, our nervous system is dependent on our cardiovascular system to maintain homeostasis.
All in all, our body has to work together to maintain homeostasis. By cooperating and performing their roles in the body, homeostasis is preserved.