Homeostatic Workflow

Most homeostasis pathways follow a similar structure, and for each pathway, we can identify specific actors and functions.

Figure 1: A flow diagram showing the ordered sequence of the process of homeostasis

In homeostatic processes, the sensors, control center and effectors usually form a cycle using a negative feedback loop. The action of the effectors reduce the impact of the intensity of the stimulus, thus the sensors are picking up that the body is not as much off-balance, and will tell so to the control center, which will decrease the action of effectors, and so on.

Stimuli, such as a change in temperature or hormone concentrations, trigger these pathways. Sensors, like nerve cells or chemoreceptors, detect the stimulus and signal the control center, which decides on the best reaction. The control center may be an organ like the medulla in the brain stem, which can instruct the body to take deeper breaths if sensors detect low oxygen levels. Effectors, such as sweat glands or blood vessels, then take action based on the control center's decision to counter the stimulus. For instance, if the body overheats, the hypothalamus instructs sweat glands to secrete water and blood vessels to dilate, dissipating heat through the skin.