Final answer:
Adequate oxygen and nutrients are crucial for cellular respiration and maintaining homeostasis. Extreme temperatures threaten survival by disrupting body functions, while pressure impacts oxygen and nutrient delivery and waste removal. The body uses feedback systems like those for oxygen concentration to sustain homeostasis, with processes like temperature and fluid balance regulation playing key roles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Role of Oxygen and Nutrients in Maintaining Human Survival
Oxygen is vital for cellular respiration, a process that powers the body's cells and maintains homeostasis. Without adequate oxygen, cells cannot produce the energy they need, leading to dysfunction and potentially death. Nutrients, consumed through food, supply the raw materials and energy for cell repair, growth, and energy production.
Threats from Extreme Temperatures to Human Survival
Extreme heat can cause hyperthermia, leading to cellular damage, while extreme cold can result in hypothermia, potentially slowing metabolic processes to dangerous levels. Both extremes disrupt normal body temperature and cardiovascular function, requiring immediate nursing action.
Importance of Pressure in Human Survival
The pressure exerted by gases (such as atmospheric pressure) and fluid balance (including blood pressure) are critical in facilitating the transfer of oxygen and nutrients to cells and removing waste products like carbon dioxide.
Homeostasis and Negative Feedback
The nervous system monitors oxygen levels in the blood, utilizing negative feedback to return the body to a set point of normal functioning, therefore ensuring homeostasis. Alterations detected in oxygen concentration can trigger responses to maintain stable internal conditions, which is crucial for survival.
Requirements for Human Survival
- Blood pressure regulation
- Temperature regulation
- Fluid balance regulation
- Childbirth processes
Oxygen is needed for effective gas exchange in cells, and carbon dioxide is a byproduct of this process. Coughing and sneezing are responses that help clear the respiratory tract. The respiratory system is protected by the 'ciliary escalator', which moves particles away from the lungs.