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).

Jump to other topics

1Cell Biology

1.1What's in Cells?

1.2Cell Division

1.3Transport in Cells

2Organisation

2.1Principles of Organisation

2.2Enzymes

2.3Circulatory System

2.4Non-Communicable Diseases

2.5Plant Tissues, Organs & Systems

3Infection & Response

4Bioenergetics

5Homeostasis & Response

5.1Homeostasis

5.2The Human Nervous System

5.3Hormonal Coordination in Humans

5.4Plant Hormones

6Inheritance, Variation & Evolution

7Ecology

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