Answer:
Homeostasis refers to the body's ability to maintain stable internal conditions despite external changes. It is a fundamental physiological process that helps organisms regulate variables such as body temperature, blood pH, and glucose levels within a narrow range, ensuring optimal functioning of cells and organs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Set Point: The body's internal thermostat is set to maintain a temperature around 98.6°F (37°C).
Sensors: Specialized temperature receptors in the body detect any deviation from the set point. In the case of hyperthermia, these sensors would detect an elevated body temperature.
Effector Response: When the temperature sensors detect an increase in body temperature, the body initiates responses to cool down. These responses might include sweating, where the body releases moisture that evaporates and cools the skin. Blood vessels near the surface of the skin can also dilate (expand), allowing more blood to flow near the skin's surface, facilitating heat exchange with the environment.
Negative Feedback: As the body initiates these cooling mechanisms, it works to counteract the initial increase in temperature. Sweating and vasodilation help the body release excess heat, bringing the body temperature back toward the set point.
Return to Homeostasis: Through these negative feedback mechanisms, the body's temperature starts decreasing. When the body temperature returns to the set point, the cooling mechanisms slow down, helping the body maintain its stable internal temperature.