Introduction to Homeostasis – 7.9, 7.10B

Homeostasis – Edexcel GCSE (1BI0): Higher Tier

In this course, Dr Matt Ivory (Cardiff University) covers homeostasis, including topics 7.9, 7.10B-7.12B & 7.13-7.17 in the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Biology (9-1) Higher Specification. We kick off with (i) an introduction of what homeostasis is, and the importance of maintaining a constant internal environment in response to internal/external stimuli, including examples of this such as thermoregulation and osmoregulation (Topics 7.9, 7.10B); we then (ii) take a deep dive into thermoregulation and how the body uses the skin and blood vessels to regulate temperature (Topics 7.11B, 7.12B); next (iii) we introduce how the body regulates blood glucose levels and the hormones involved in this process (insulin and glucagon) (Topics 7.13, 7.14); and to finish up (iv) we look at an example of a disease when homeostasis goes wrong in diabetes (7.15, 7.16, 7.17).

Introduction to Homeostasis – 7.9, 7.10B

In this first mini-lecture, we introduce the concept of homeostasis where to body works to maintain constant optimal conditions in response to external/internal stimuli. We discuss why this homeostasis is important and also how it is achieved via negative feedback. We round out this mini-lecture by looking at two examples of why homeostasis is necessary, osmoregulation to maintain a balance of water and salts within cells, and thermoregulation to maintain optimal enzyme function.