L'homéostasie

Using the example of fluctuating environmental temperatures and internal bodily responses, this introductory episode illustrates how the process of homeostasis maintains the balance of the internal state.

Through the five basic homeostatic mechanisms that control the exchange of intra and extracellular fluids, the body constantly regulates and balances itself to meet its internal needs and to adapt to external conditions.

The complex filtration process taking place in the kidneys is presented to illustrate the regulation of the body by osmosis.

The constant homeostatic monitoring to inhibit or stimulate the release of hormones is called a “feedback cycle”. This episode illustrates how the negative feedback cycle works and evokes the body's different responses to messages from receivers.

The program deals with the chemical inhibitory processes in the production of enzymes, the principle of massive action and the natural tendency of chemical reactions to behave in a double way.

Hormones play a role in homeostatic balance: their monitored production stimulates chemical reactions.