How an organism maintains homeostasis
through the
interaction of the various organ
systems in the body
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Vince Regil Gravanza 12-St. Patrick
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Each organ system performs specific
functions for the
body, and each organ system is typically studied
independently. However, the organ systems also
work together to help the body maintain homeostasis.
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The cardiovascular, urinary, and lymphatic systems
all help the body control water balance.
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The cardiovascular and lymphatic systems transport
fluids throughout the body and help sense
both solute and water levels and regulate pressure
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If the water level gets too high
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the urinary system
produces more dilute urine
(urine with a
higher water content) to help
eliminate
the excess water.
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If the water level gets too low
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More concentrated urine is
produced so that water is
conserved.
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The digestive system also
plays a role with variable water absorption.
Water can be lost
through the
integumentary and respiratory systems
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but that loss is not directly involved in
maintaining body fluids and is usually associated
with other homeostatic mechanisms.
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Similarly, the cardiovascular, integumentary, respiratory,
and muscular systems work together to help the
body maintain a stable internal temperature.
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If the
body temperature
rises
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blood vessels in the skin dilate,
allowing more blood to flow
near the skin’s surface.
This allows heat to dissipate
through the skin
and into the surrounding air.
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The skin may also produce sweat if the body gets too hot;
when the sweat evaporates, it helps to cool the body.
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Another way the body dissipates excess heat to maintain
homeostasis is through exhalation. Air that enters
the lungs is warmed by body heat and then exhaled.
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Together, these responses to increased body
temperature explain why you sweat, pant,
and become red in the face when you exercise hard.
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Conversely, if your body is too cold,
blood vessels in the skin contract,
and blood flow to the extremities
(arms and legs) slows.
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Muscles contract and relax rapidly, which generates heat
to keep you warm.
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The hair on your skin rises, trapping more air, which is a
good insulator, near your skin.
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These responses to decreased body
temperature explain why
you shiver, get “goose bumps,” and
have cold, pale extremities
when you are cold.