The term homeostasis came from two Greek words, homeo which means ‘the same’ and stasis which means ‘standing’. Literally translated, ‘staying the same.’
Homeostasis is not a static state, it is a dynamic state. Homeostasis is achieved through a variety of automatic mechanisms that compensates for internal and external changes.
Correcting imbalances to maintain homeostasis requires a variety of body reflexes – that is, automatic responses triggered by various stimuli. Reflexes occurs without conscious control. Two types of reflexes exists: nervous system and hormonal.
The nervous system receives and transmits information via electrical impulses between nerve cells. The nervous system, which consists of the brain, spinal cord, sensory receptors and nerves, receptors input from variety of sensors that detect change.
The brain plays a central role in controlling energy intake, in the form of feeding, and energy expenditure including basal metabolism, physical activity and adaptive thermogenesis.
The communication and coordinated action between the brain and the peripheral tissues is achieved by peripherally secreted molecules in response to nutrients and integration of neural endocrine and metabolic signals in the hypothalamus.
At any time, the brain and spinal cord receives thousands of signal from receptors in the body. These signals alert the nervous system to a variety of internal and external conditions.
One good example of homeostasis is the control of water balance in the body. If the body not drink enough, receptors – osmoreceptors and thirst receptors in the brain are stimulated and the body stimulated to drink more, which is a behavioral response mediated through nervous system.
Brain function of homeostasis
