Homeostasis – control systems in the body
Task 1 – control systems
Using your knowledge, match the beginning of the statements to the correct ending by drawing a
line.
We call the maintenance of
constant internal body
conditions…
… body temperature, blood
sugar levels and the amount
of water and ions.
The ideal core body temperature
of a human is…
… pancreas.
Some conditions that need to be
controlled in the body are…
… the kidneys.
The organs that control the
amount of water and salt
removed via urine are…
… 37°C.
The blood sugar levels are
controlled by hormones made by
the…
… homeostasis.
Task 2 - controlling body temperature
1. Complete the missing word sentences below about body temperature control.
It is very important that the body’s ......................... is kept constant at about
...................... °C. This is because this is the temperature at which ........................
work best. Enzymes control the ................................ in the body and if the temperature
changes, by even a few ......................... higher or lower, you can .........................
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Homeostasis – control systems in the body
2. Complete the table using your knowledge. An example has been given to start you off.
The body’s reactions to lower a raised
temperature.
The body’s reactions to raise a low
temperature.
Sweating – the sweat evaporating from the
skins surface cools the person down.
Shivering – the rapid contractions of the
muscles releases heat which increases the
temperature.
Task 3 - controlling water and ion levels
Water is very important in the human body. Complete the table stating how it enters and leaves
the body.
How water enters the body
How water leaves the body
Salt and other ions are used by the body to carry out several essential functions. Too much salt
can be very bad for you so maintaining the correct amount in the body is very important.
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Homeostasis – control systems in the body
Task 4 – the kidneys
Write, in your own words, the role of the kidneys in controlling the water and ion content in the
body.
Task 5 - controlling blood sugar levels
Complete the missing word sentences about the control of blood sugar levels.
When you .................. a meal a lot of g ............ is released into the blood and this makes
the blood sugar level very ................. . After a while, this would drop and become very low.
Glucose is needed for every cell to ................... and release energy. The blood sugar levels
must remain ....................... so the body cells always have a supply.
The p .................... produces and releases hormones that control the blood sugar levels.
These h ................. are insulin and glucagon.
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Homeostasis – control systems in the body
Answers
Task 1
We call the maintenance of
constant internal body
conditions…
…body temperature, blood
sugar levels and the amount
of water and ions.
The ideal core body temperature
of a human is…
…pancreas.
Some conditions that need to be
controlled in the body are…
…the kidneys.
The organs that control the
amount of water and salt
removed via urine are…
…37°C.
The blood sugar levels are
controlled by hormones made by
the…
…homeostasis.
Task 2
1. It is very important that the body’s temperature is kept constant at around 37 °C. This
is because this is the temperature at which enzymes work best. Enzymes control the
reactions in the body and if the temperature changes, by even a few degrees higher or
lower, you can die.
2.
The body’s reactions to lower a raised
temperature.






Sweating – the sweat evaporating from the
skins surface cools the person down.
The body’s reactions to raise a low
temperature.


Pilorelaxation – the hairs that cover the body
lie flat against the skin so heat can escape
rapidly.

Vasodilation – the blood vessels dilate so heat
can escape.
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Shivering – the rapid contractions of the
muscles releases heat which increases the
temperature.
Piloerection – the hairs that cover the body
stand upright to trap a layer of air over the
skin for insulation to retain heat.
Vasoconstriction – the blood vessels constrict
to reduce heat loss.
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Homeostasis – control systems in the body
Task 3
How water enters the body
Food and drink
How water leaves the body


Sweating
Tears
Urine
Task 4
Suggested answer:
Your kidneys can change the amount of water and ions lost in your urine. The kidneys use a
mixture of nerves and hormones to assess the amounts of water and ions in the body. If the
levels are high more ions and water will be passed in the urine, if the levels are low then less
water and ions will be passed in the urine.
Task 5
When you digest a meal a lot of glucose is released into the blood and this makes the blood
sugar level very high. After a while, this would drop and become very low.
Glucose is needed for every cell to respire and release energy. The blood sugar levels must
remain constant so the body cells always have a supply.
The pancreas produces and releases hormones that control the blood sugar levels. These
hormones are insulin and glucagon.
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