Question

Hypothalamus has an important role in maintaining homeostasis. Analyze this statement and note down four ideas to justify your views.

Answer 1

Hint: The hypothalamus is a part of the brain that is highly important in maintaining the various functions of the body. One of the major reasons is that it links the nervous system to the endocrine system. Most of the functions required for maintaining homeostasis are carried out by the hypothalamus.

Complete step by step answer:
- Homeostasis is the state of stable internal physical and chemical conditions in the body. It is chiefly regulated by the hypothalamus.
- Hypothalamus is a highly important part of the brain as it connects the nervous system to the endocrine system through the pituitary gland.
- Hypothalamus works in promoting or inhibiting various processes in the body. Some of the examples are as follows.
- Body temperature: The temperature of the body fluctuates throughout the day and changes according to the weather. We sweat during summers to cool the body down to the normal temperature and shiver and require warmer clothes in winters to keep the body warm.
- Blood glucose: The level of glucose in the blood is monitored constantly. If the level of blood glucose reduces, the glucagon hormone is released to produce more glucose from glycogen. Inversely, if the blood glucose increases, the insulin hormone is released to stop more production of glucose and uptake of the excess glucose.

- Blood clotting: Whenever the body receives an injury, the body responds by sending platelets to produce a blood clot at the site of injury until the bleeding stops.
- Fluid balance: This is controlled by antidiuretic hormone or vasopressin. The hormone constantly regulates the level of water in the blood. A higher concentration of water increases blood pressure. ADH works with baroreceptors (pressure receptors) and osmotic sensors and excretes water from the body. If the water concentration is lower than normal, the same receptors and sensors work in increasing the fluid and electrolyte balance in the body.
- The hypothalamus is situated between the thalamus and the pituitary gland.
- It releases the following hormones - Prolactin/Thyrotropin-releasing Hormone (PRH/TRH), Corticotropin-releasing Hormone (CRH), Dopamine, Growth-hormone-releasing Hormone (GHRH), Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone (GnRH), Somatostatin, Vasopressin, Oxytocin, and Neurotensin.
- Maintenance of homeostasis requires four components - stimulus, sensor, control center, and effector.

Note:
- Any injury to the hypothalamus can be severely detrimental to the body and can lead to death.
- Physical injuries are the major cause of hypothalamic diseases. As the organ controls a number of hormones and is responsible for varied functions, it can be difficult to diagnose if an individual has an issue with the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland.
- Some of the hypothalamic disorders are eating and sleep disorders.
- Apart from the nervous and the endocrine system, homeostasis is maintained by other systems such as the digestive system, the muscular system, the urinary system, the respiratory system, and others.