Final answer:
Homeostasis is the body's ability to maintain a constant and healthy internal environment via negative and positive feedback. Buffers are substances that maintain pH balance, which is crucial for homeostasis. The skin contributes to homeostasis by regulating temperature and providing protective barriers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment within the body. It is crucial for the well-being of cells and for the overall function of organ systems. The body uses both negative and positive feedback mechanisms to maintain a state of equilibrium. Negative feedback mechanisms involve responses that counteract a change to keep things at a set point, like insulin reducing high blood glucose levels. In contrast, positive feedback mechanisms amplify responses, such as the increase of contractions during childbirth due to the hormone oxytocin.
A buffer is a chemical substance that helps maintain the pH balance by reacting with acids or bases to minimize their effects on the pH of a solution. This is critical for chemical homeostasis in the body. If a patient were given sterile water instead of saline, they would receive a hypotonic solution. The tonicity of the solution is lower than that of the red blood cells, leading to water influx and potential cell lysis, disrupting homeostasis.
The skin plays a significant role in maintaining tissue and organ homeostasis. It regulates body temperature through sweat and provides a protective barrier from pathogens. The presence of skin-associated lymphoid tissue (SALT) and the synthesis of Vitamin D are specific examples of how skin contributes to homeostasis.