This report discusses an experiment that studies the homeostasis mechanism of body temperature, heart rate, breathing rate, and appearance before and after an aerobic exercise. Most body systems maintain homeostasis by using positive or negative feedback mechanisms. When the brain receives messages from the body about an internal change in one of its systems, it works to restore the system to its normal state. .
Negative feedback mechanisms are found in the regulation of blood pressure, heart rate, and internal temperature controls. For example, the normal internal temperature for the human body is approximately 37 ̊C (8.6 ̊F). If the body temperature rises because of exercise, the body will start to try and cool itself off. Signals are sent that allow blood vessels to return to the normal state, sweat to be produced, pores to be dilated, and heart and breathing rate to normalize. This is very similar to the way a thermostat works. When the temperature of a room becomes too warm, the thermostat will switch on the air conditioning and cool the room. When the room temperature reaches a set desired temperature,the system turns off. Body systems work to maintain homeostasis in ways we are not even aware of. For example, the body is constantly working to maintain a normal glucose level in your blood. When you eat something that contains a lot of sugar, the glucose concentration in your body rises above normal. When glucose levels are too high, the body releases a hormone called insulin which stimulates the absorption of glucose by the pancreas to help return the blood sugar level to normal. .
Positive feedback is a mechanism that is much rarer in a healthy body. Instead of restoring the body to a normal state, the positive feedback mechanism causes an even greater change. An example of positive feedback can be found in the release of oxytocin, a hormone that intensifies the contractions that take place during childbirth.