5.1.1

Homeostasis

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Homeostasis

Homeostasis describes all of the processes that happen in a cell or organism to maintain (keep) optimal conditions. This is needed to respond to changes in the internal and external environment.

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Enzyme functioning

  • Because humans are organisms that live in a changing environment, we must regulate our body’s internal conditions to make sure our enzymes and cells function well.
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Denaturing

  • If conditions are not optimal, then our enzymes can denature (change shape).
  • This reduces their ability to catalyse (speed-up) metabolic reactions (chemical reactions in organisms).

Regulating Internal Conditions

Humans must regulate their body’s internal conditions to make sure that enzymes and cells function well. The conditions that need to be regulated are:

Jump to other topics

1Cell Biology

2Organisation

2.1Principles of Organisation

2.2Enzymes

2.3Circulatory System

2.4Non-Communicable Diseases

2.5Plant Tissues, Organs & Systems

3Infection & Response

4Bioenergetics

5Homeostasis & Response

6Inheritance, Variation & Evolution

7Ecology

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