Ask A Scientist General Science Archive

name        jesse
status     student
grade         4-5
location     MN

Question -   What is homeostasis so a  fourth grader would understand it.
What is the role of the hypothalamus in homeostasis?
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Your body has processes that happen that keep everything at an even  rate.  
If things get out of balance, your body tries to bring them back  into balance. 
 The hypothalamus is a very important monitor of  homeostasis.  As blood 
circulates through the brain, it keeps track of many  substances.  For instance, 
the "thermostat" of the body is in the  hypothalamus.  If the blood coming to 
the brain is not warm enough, it will  make the body do things to make the 
blood warmer again.  For example, you  will start to shiver which makes your 
muscles contract, which burns energy and  releases heat.  If the blood is too warm, 
your sweat glands are signaled to  begin producing sweat which cools the body.
 
vanhoeck
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Homeostasis is the ability or tendency of an organism or cell to
maintain internal equilibrium by adjusting its physiological processes. Your
normal body temperature, for example, is around 98.6 deg F. If you start to
get cold you shiver. Shivering is a physiological process designed to keep
your body temperature from dropping below 98.6 deg F. Also, you may put a
coat on. This will also help keep your body temperature from dropping, but
it is not a physiological process. Your body has many physiological
processes designed to maintain many equilibriums.
      The hypothalamus is a group of neurons, at the base of your brain, and
forms the primary link between the nervous system and the endocrine system.
Among the homeostatic processes controlled by the hypothalamus are: thirst,
hunger, daily (circadian) rhythms, body temperature and blood pressure.

M. Loop
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