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Understand how the body maintains balance through feedback loops, fluid management, and acid-base regulation.
Visual learning
Follow how the body detects change, responds, and returns toward homeostasis.
Fast
Neural response
Sustained
Endocrine response
Local
Tissue response
Late
Compensation limit
Variable changes
Temperature, glucose, calcium, oxygen, pH, or pressure moves away from baseline.
Sensor detects change
Receptors or glands detect the shift and send a signal.
Control center compares
The brain, endocrine system, or local tissue compares current state with the target range.
Effector responds
Muscle, glands, kidneys, lungs, vessels, or cells change activity.
Feedback reduces imbalance
Negative feedback lowers the original stimulus once the variable improves.
Clinical connection
Physiology turns vital signs and symptoms into patterns: compensation, correction, or decompensation.
The body's primary regulatory mechanism
Most physiological regulation uses negative feedback. The body detects a change, activates a response, and reverses the change to restore balance.
When you see a compensatory vital sign change in a patient (e.g., tachycardia in response to bleeding), you're witnessing negative feedback trying to maintain cardiac output.
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Where body water is distributed
Inside cells. Contains K+, Mg2+, PO4Âłâ». The largest fluid compartment.
Outside cells. Includes intravascular (plasma) and interstitial (between cells). Contains Na+, Clâ», HCO3â».
'K+ stays IN the cell, Na+ stays OUT.' This is maintained by the Na+/K+ ATPase pump. When cells are damaged (trauma, burns), K+ leaks out â hyperkalemia risk.
Which electrolyte is the MOST abundant intracellular cation?
