B.+Homeostasis

Homeostasis
== Is it John Mayer who sings, "Your Body is a Wonderland"? Well, I concur with that statement. However, I am probably talking about our body as a mechanically sycronized complex unit that works together and well, it is John Mayer. Need I say more? ==

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Homeostasis is the constant of equilibrium in our body. Our body must maintain homeostasis to function properly. If all of our body processes are working together we maintain equilibrium. In my own words, homeostasis is when our entire body is running on all cylinders and can create total harmony! The term homeostasis was created by an American physiologist Walter Cannon (1871-1945). ======

__I. NEGATIVE FEEDBACK LOOP __
==*If the direction of a homeostatic process if negative, reverse or has a clear directional order it is said to be a negative feedback loop. They are continuous and consistent processes in the body. ==

__II. POSITIVE FEEDBACK __ *Did you know positive feedback is rare because it amplifies changes and that is what distinguishes itself from negative feedback? They are exactly opposite! However, they may be part of the action of an overall negative feedback process. *Where in the body do we see examples of positive feedback occur? 1. In females estrogen is used to stimulate the pituitary gland which then secrete LH (luteinizing hormone) surge that causes ovulation 2. During contraction in child labor, the oxytocin is secreted by the pituitary hormone that stimulates the uterus 3. Blood clotting is a domino effect of positive feedback because of the activation of one clotting factor leads to many results in activation.

__III. EXTRINSIC VS. INTRINSIC HOMEOSTASIS REGULATION __ *Whats the difference? Well, these two special words represent two areas of regulatory mechanisms that allows for homeostasis to be maintained in the body. *INTRINSIC: Those that are "built in" to the organs being regulated *EXTRINSIC: Those that are in regulation of an organ by the nervous and endocrine system *The nervous and endocrine systems are in an essence the quarterback and the wide receiver. Together, they work closely together to maintain and regulate homeostasis throughout the majority of our body. Therefor, that equals a TOUCHDOWN when our body is maintaining complete and consistent homeostasis!

Below is a video provided from YouTube, focusing on how homeostasis plays its role when a blood vessel is damaged.

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<span style="color: #884988; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">__**APPLICATION:**__ My goal of wanting to become a pharmacist plays a key role with not just physiology as a whole but, especially understanding homeostasis in the body. Some of the most focused areas for a clinical pharmacist are diabetic patients with blood glucose control and maintenance therapy and anticoagulant therapy. The patients that fit the profile of having an imbalance in the body must be treated or it can lead to death or more serious problems. Drugs are amazing therapeutic agents that allow our body to maintain and alter any issues or problems in maintaining our consistent homeostasis. A pharmacist's job is to educate the patient especially in anticoagulant therapy for example on how to use the the prescribed drug or drugs and how to learn to live a healthy and proactive life. Below, is an interesting yet educational video from Youtube on blood clotting and therapy. Catchy little song!

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<span style="color: #ffa300; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">__**ESSENTIAL QUESTION:**__ Describe negative feedback and how insulin is controlled by negative feedback inhibition. Why is it essential that insulin and other molecules be regulated?

<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">As we learned in the material above, negative feedback pertains to the consistent and continuous ongoing process of our body to maintain homeostasis. When a cycle is broken or damaged our body reacts with a plan of action to try to fix and maintain that cycle which restores the body back to homeostasis. Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas to lower the blood glucose concentration. It also where glucagon a hormone is from. How does our body know when we need insulin? Well, the insulin secretion is stimulated by the increase of plasma glucose concentration in the body. Glucose molecules are produced by the liver. Once our internal sensor identifies the imbalance of a high or low concentration of blood glucose concentration the pancreas will secrete insulin. The insulin will then stimulate the body's cells to increase their rate of glucose uptake from the blood which will cause the decrease and restore the blood glucose back to normal levels.

<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">It is essential that insulin and other molecules be regulated because the body and brain need them to function properly. An insulin deficiency can lead to a coma and death if not treated. Typical patients who have Diabetes end up having kidney failure, blindness and limb amputations. We must take care of our bodies and learn what is neccessary to maintain homeostasis. Without regulation there is consequence, because when our bodies are not equipped with everything we need we are not able to maintain the total equillibrium and balance needed for homeostasis. It can lead to severe problems down the road and eventually death.

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Am J Public Health. 2002 October;  92 (10)  1594–1595. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/extrinsic Fox, Stuart Ira. __Human Physiology__, //11th ed.// New York: 2009. http://www.biologyreference.com/Bl-Ce/Blood-Sugar-Regulation.html YouTube.com
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