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How does Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis affect homeostasis?

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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects homeostasis by disrupting the balance between different systems in the body.

In ALS, the nerve cells responsible for controlling the muscles (motor neurons) gradually deteriorate and die, leading to muscle weakness, twitching, and eventually, paralysis. This affects the body's ability to maintain muscle tone and movement, which is essential for maintaining posture and balance.

The loss of motor neurons also affects the autonomic nervous system, which controls the body's unconscious functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion. This can lead to problems with homeostasis, such as difficulty swallowing, breathing difficulties, and changes in blood pressure and heart rate.

In addition, ALS can affect the body's ability to regulate temperature and respond to stress, as well as its ability to produce energy and remove waste, which are all crucial components of homeostasis.

Therefore, ALS has a significant impact on homeostasis by disrupting the balance between different systems in the body, leading to a wide range of physical and physiological symptoms.

User Daniele Armanasco
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Answer:

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects the motor neurons responsible for controlling voluntary muscles. This leads to progressive muscle weakness and atrophy, which can ultimately lead to complete paralysis.

The impact of ALS on homeostasis is significant, as the loss of muscle control affects the body's ability to maintain proper balance, posture, and mobility, making it difficult for the person to carry out normal daily activities. Additionally, as the disease progresses, it can also affect breathing, swallowing, and speaking, which further disrupts the body's ability to maintain homeostasis.

Furthermore, ALS can also lead to a number of secondary complications such as malnutrition, bedsores, and respiratory infections, which further exacerbates the body's difficulty in maintaining homeostasis. In conclusion, ALS can have a significant impact on the body's ability to maintain homeostasis and can lead to a number of complications that further disrupt this balance.

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