Let's start with the CN Tower:When you climb something high, whether it be a mountain or a tower, the altitude increases. As altitude increases, the air gets thinner, so the circulatory system cannot work as efficiently when there's less oxygen. Our body will counteract the affects of higher altitudes by creating more red blood cells; the more red blood cells present, they more free oxygen it can pick up, since less oxygen is present. On another note, body temperature will increase because your heart rate increases. To dissipate that heat, the blood vessels closest to your skin will dilate and you'll start to sweat. The sweat will evaporate to create a cooling effect on your body.
Epinephrine is the hormone responsible here.
Alcohol and homeostasis:Alcohol increases urine production because it acts as a diuretic. It does this by inhibiting the pituitary secretion of anti-diuretic hormone (ADH), which acts on the kidney to reabsorb water. Alcohol acts on the hypothalamus/pituitary to reduce the circulating levels of ADH. When ADH levels drop, the kidneys do not reabsorb as much water; consequently, the kidneys produce more urine. Because there's less water in your system, blood pressure decreases. This activates thirst. By consuming water, blood pressure returns to normal.
Fear:After you get scared, a
flight or fight response takes place, which is caused by epinephrine. Epinephrine, along with norepinephrine, is largely responsible for the immediate reactions of stress including fear. Also, once the
amygdala recognizes a threat, it sends a message to the part of the brain called the
hypothalamus, which releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). CRH then tells the pituitary gland to release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which tells the adrenal glands to produce
cortisol. Cortisol helps to maintain fluid balance and blood pressure.
Quick Reply
