Sunday, December 19, 2010

Post 3: Homeostasis

Homeostasis involves our body's preference toward remaining at a specific set point. Whether it be hunger, thirst, or even temperature, our bodies utilize a negative feedback system to maintain a balance between the extremes of the condition. Our body will respond to a deviation away from its set point by motivating specific behaviors that will reach an end goal of regaining homeostasis. In terms of thermoregulation the setpoint for humans is around 98.6 degrees farenheit, the optimal environment for the body's internal cellular activity to function. Normal reactions to being exposed to cold temperatures for an extended period of time leads to shivering as well as a lowered core body temperature. The "Ice-Man", however, seems to be an exception.

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