/

Which choice best describes homeostasis?

A. A functional system of the body

B. Blood flow to every cell in the body

C. A relatively constant environment within the body

D. Neural pathways that have integrated into the body

Answer Explanation:

Homeostasis is the existence and maintenance of a relatively constant environment within the body. Each cell of the body is surrounded by a small amount of fluid, and the normal functions of each cell depend on the maintenance of its fluid environment within a narrow range of conditions, including temperature, volume, and chemical content. These conditions are known as variables. For example, body temperature is a variable that can increase in a hot environment or decrease in a cold environment.

There are two types of feedback mechanisms in the human body: negative and positive.

  • Negative Feedback: Most systems of the body are regulated by negative feedback mechanisms, which maintain homeostasis. Negative means that any deviation from the set point is made smaller or is resisted. The maintenance of normal blood pressure is a negative-feedback mechanism. Normal blood pressure is important because it is responsible for moving blood from the heart to tissues.
  • Positive Feedback: Positive-feedback mechanisms are not homeostatic and are rare in healthy individuals. Positive means that when a deviation from a normal value occurs, the response of the system is to make the deviation even greater. Positive feedback therefore usually creates a cycle leading away from homeostasis and, in some cases, results in death. Inadequate delivery of blood to cardiac muscle is an example of positive feedback.

Therefore, the Correct Answer is C.

More Questions on TEAS 7 Science

  • Q #1: Blood oxygen levels are most likely low when blood _____.

    A. leaves the aorta

    B. fills the right atrium

    C. reaches body tissues

    D. flows through arteries

    Answer Explanation

    Blood continually flows in one direction, beginning in the heart and proceeding to the arteries, arterioles, and capillaries. When blood reaches the capillaries, exchanges occur between blood and tissues. After this exchange happens, blood is collected into venules, which feed into veins and eventually flow back to the heart’s atrium. The heart must relax between two heartbeats for blood circulation to begin.

    Two types of circulatory processes occur in the body:

    Systemic circulation

    • The pulmonary vein pushes oxygenated blood into the left atrium.
    • As the atrium relaxes, oxygenated blood drains into the left ventricle through the mitral valve. 3. The left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood to the aorta.
    • Blood travels through the arteries and arterioles before reaching the capillaries that surround the tissues.

    Pulmonary circulation

    • Two major veins, the Superior Vena Cava and the Inferior Vena Cava, brings deoxygenated blood from the upper and lower half of the body.
    • Deoxygenated blood is pooled into the right atrium and then sent into the right ventricle through the tricuspid valve, which prevents blood from flowing backward.
    • The right ventricle contracts, causing the blood to be pushed through the pulmonary valve into the pulmonary artery.
    • Deoxygenated blood becomes oxygenated in the lungs.
    • Oxygenated blood returns from the lungs to the left atrium through the pulmonary veins.

  • Q #2: If a person smells something sweet, what form of information is this initially perceived as in the nervous system?

    A. Cognitive

    B. Integrative

    C. Motor

    D. Sensory

    Answer Explanation

    A sensory nerve is a nerve that carries sensory signals from the external environment to the brain to the central nervous system. It is also an afferent nerve, long dendrites of sensory neurons, which sends sensory information towards the central nervous system (CNS). This information is what is sensed, using the five senses from external environment, sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.

    Motor nerves have only efferent fibers, long axons of motor neurons, that carry impulses away from the CNS to the effectors, which are typically tissues and muscles of the body.

    Interneurons are nerve cells that act as a bridge between motor and sensory neurons in the CNS. These neurons help form neural circuits, which helps neurons communicate with each other.

  • Q #3: Which choice best describes homeostasis?

    A. A functional system of the body

    B. Blood flow to every cell in the body

    C. A relatively constant environment within the body

    D. Neural pathways that have integrated into the body

    Answer Explanation

    Homeostasis is the existence and maintenance of a relatively constant environment within the body. Each cell of the body is surrounded by a small amount of fluid, and the normal functions of each cell depend on the maintenance of its fluid environment within a narrow range of conditions, including temperature, volume, and chemical content. These conditions are known as variables. For example, body temperature is a variable that can increase in a hot environment or decrease in a cold environment.

    There are two types of feedback mechanisms in the human body: negative and positive.

    • Negative Feedback: Most systems of the body are regulated by negative feedback mechanisms, which maintain homeostasis. Negative means that any deviation from the set point is made smaller or is resisted. The maintenance of normal blood pressure is a negative-feedback mechanism. Normal blood pressure is important because it is responsible for moving blood from the heart to tissues.
    • Positive Feedback: Positive-feedback mechanisms are not homeostatic and are rare in healthy individuals. Positive means that when a deviation from a normal value occurs, the response of the system is to make the deviation even greater. Positive feedback therefore usually creates a cycle leading away from homeostasis and, in some cases, results in death. Inadequate delivery of blood to cardiac muscle is an example of positive feedback.