Homeostasis: Skin, Liver and Temperature Control

Syllabus tag: KCSE | Biology | Form 2 | Topic 5 Excretion and Homeostasis

Lesson objectives

By the end of this topic, you should be able to:

• Define homeostasis and explain negative feedback.
• Describe the structure of the skin and its role in temperature regulation.
• State the homeostatic functions of the liver.
• Explain the control of blood sugar and the causes of diabetes.

Summary

Homeostasis is the maintenance of a constant internal environment despite changes outside. It works by negative feedback: a change is detected and triggers the response that reverses it. The skin regulates temperature by controlling heat loss, and the liver regulates blood sugar, protein waste, and much else. Failure of blood sugar control causes diabetes.