Homeostasis & Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is prevented from rising too high or dropping too low by homeostatic systems that are controlled through chemical and neural signals.

Homeostasis

Homeostasis is a collection of processes (such as temperature regulation, controlling blood glucose levels, body acidity and hormone secretion) that maintain a stable state in an organism.

Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the pressure that is exerted by the blood upon the walls of the blood vessels and especially arteries and that varies with the muscular efficiency of the heart, the blood volume and viscosity, the age and health of the individual, and the state of the vascular wall, according to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary.

Monitoring

Receptors called press receptors in the carotid artery and aorta, near the heart, monitor blood pressure. If it drops too low, or rises too high, then signals are sent to the part of the brain that controls the heartbeat and vasodilation/contraction, and those which produce blood--the spleen, liver and veins--and they work to correct the problem. The kidneys also monitor blood pressure.

Homeostasis and Blood Pressure

Blood pressure can be regulated through homeostasis. Homeostasis hinders organs from exerting so much, thereby preventing disturbance to metabolism and other physiological conditions of the body.

Factors

There are a number of factors that must be taken into account in order to attain homeostasis through regulating blood pressure. They are heart rate, water balance, respiratory rate, detoxification and blood sugar level.

References

• The McGraw Hill Companies