Biological System Homeostasis is the fundamental physiological property of a living organism to maintain internal stability and equilibrium across its interconnected systems, despite continuous external and internal environmental fluctuations. This state is not static but a dynamic, self-regulating process essential for survival, health, and optimal function. It encompasses the tightly regulated balance of parameters such as core body temperature, blood glucose concentration, fluid electrolyte levels, and, crucially, the precise orchestration of the entire endocrine network.
Origin
The term was first coined by physiologist Walter Bradford Cannon in the 1920s, building upon the earlier concept of the milieu intérieur proposed by Claude Bernard. ‘Homeostasis’ is derived from the Greek words homoios (similar) and stasis (standing still), though it fundamentally describes a state of dynamic consistency, not absolute stasis. This principle is a cornerstone of modern human physiology and is universally applied in clinical practice to understand health and disease.
Mechanism
Homeostasis is maintained through complex, interconnected negative feedback loops involving sensors, a control center (often in the central nervous system or endocrine glands), and effectors (target tissues or organs). When a physiological variable deviates from its set point, the control center initiates a cascade of hormonal or neurological responses to counteract the disturbance and return the system to its optimal range. In the hormonal context, the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis exemplifies this mechanism, regulating cortisol release in response to stress to restore metabolic and energetic balance.
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