Question

Research the medical term homeostasis. What does it mean and how does it apply to the integumentary system?

Answer 1

Homeostasis may be defined as the property of cells, tissues and organisms that allows the maintenance and regulation of the stability and constancy needed to function properly. By constant adjustment of biochemical physiological pathways homeostasis is maintained . It involves the maintenance of the constant internal internal environment which includes the function of liver, kidney, skin etc.

Eg.maintanence of the body temperature within a narrow range

Integumentary system comprises of the external organs such as skin, hair, nails, endocrine glands. The major function of which is to protect the body from external environment. Skin majorily functions in homeostasis. Heat and cold receptors located in the skin sends a signal to hypothalamus whenever the temperature changes. When temperature increases the hypothalamus sends a signal to the skin glands, causing them to release about 1-2 liters of water per hour, cooling the body. The hypothalamus also causes dilation of the blood vessels of the skin, allowing more blood flow into the areas where more amount of heat is convected. When body temperature falls, the sweat glands constrict and sweat production decreases. If the body temperature falls below the normal range the body will engage in thermiogenesis by raising the metabolic rate of the body and by producing shiverings there by increasing the body temperature back to normal