Differences and Similarities between Hemostasis and Homeostasis - Essay Example

Name: Instructor: Course: Date: The differences and similarities between haemostasis and homeostasis Introduction Haemostasis refers to the process of preventing excessive loss of blood within the body. The three fundamental mechanism employed in controlling the bleeding include: vascular spasm, blood clotting, and platelet plug (Widmaier, et al 67). Homeostasis on the other hand, refers to the system’s property that controls its internal surroundings and seems to uphold a stable, moderately even conditions of characteristics like pH or temperature (Longenbaker 23). This can either be close of open system. Homeostasis occurs when equilibrium in the body is upheld. The body upholds a stable internal surrounding for the effective body functioning. In order to maintain a steady internal surrounding, a lot of adjustments need to take place. With respect, this paper will present the differences and similarities of haemostasis and homoestasis. Similarities and differences Both homeostasis and haemostasis require various systems to operate. For instance, haemostasis has: a) vascular spasm; b) blood clotting; and c) platelet plug (Widmaier, et al 2006). Blood vessels that are damaged normally constrict. The initial response of blood vessels to injury is referred to as vascular spasm. When the damaged vessels constrict (vasoconstrict), there will be a reduction in the quantity of flow of blood via the region; hence loss of blood is limited. This reaction is triggered through factors like vascular smooth muscle’s direct injury, chemicals that are released by platelets and endothelia cells, and reflexes that the local receptors of pain have initiated (Monagle & Massicotte 99). This mechanism is regarded as the system of first aid by the body and can be maintained for a while. The response of spasm turns out to be more effective while the extent of injury is increased. In blood vessels that are smaller, vascular spasm is not very effective. The formation of platelet plug is more complex compared to vascular spasm. It involves three stages. The first phase is platelet adhesion. This phase starts once platelets detect blood vessel’s damage and start to stick to the surfaces that are exposed. The second phase is platelet release response. Upon sticking to the damage site, the platelets start to change. To start with, they construct extensions in order to contact one another, and thereafter they discharge their contents. The last phase is platelet aggregation. This involves the action of the ADP to cause the surrounding platelets sticky and stay on the other platelets that are recruited, and once the collection becomes big enough it builds a plug of platelet stopping blood loss via holes within small vessels (Widmaier, et al 2006). Coagulation or clotting is known to be the most intricate process of haemostasis (Longenbaker, 2011). The process’s aim is to convert blood that is in liquid form into gel. This gel is what is referred to as clot and its components include fibres of protein called fibrin within which the blood’s formed elements are trapped. In an effective way, the gel creates a cap above the wound. Clotting factors are involved in clotting process. The process of clotting takes place with a mechanism called positive feedback: the moment a clot forms it keeps on expanding and factors that are external are needed to maintain it (Widmaier, et al 2006). Extrinsic pathway takes place speedily and entails fewer steps compared to intrinsic pathway. The mechanism of positive feedback linked to clotting may possibly continue unchecked resulting in a bigger clot, although keeping the clot contained is desirable. Formation of clot is maintained by fibrin, which has the capacity to attract and inactivate nearly 90% of the formed thrombin from prothrombin (Pocock, et al 2013). Consecutively, this prevents the clot from spreading and facilitates its localization. Maintenance of homeostasis is completely essential to keep organisms stay healthy (Longenbaker, 2011). Just like haemostasis, homeostasis requires some mechanisms for its operation. Every homeostatic control mechanism has no less than three interdependent elements for the regulation of the variable. The first component is the receptor which is considered the sensing element that observes and reacts to changes within the environment. Once a stimulus is sensed by the receptor, information is send to a center of control, the part which positions the range that variables are maintained. The center of control establishes a suitable reaction to stimuli. In various mechanisms of homeostasis, the brain is the center of control (Pocock, et al 2013). The center of control then transmits signals to effectors like organs and muscles. Upon receiving a signal, a transformation takes place that corrects the difference through positive feedback enhancement or negative feedback depression. The mechanism of positive feedback occurs when an output is increases, like the levels of protein. On the other hand, so as to avoid whichever instability in the level of protein, the system is stochastically inhibited. Positive feedback systems are planned to enhance or accelerate the output brought about by stimuli that have been activated already. Different from negative feedback systems that initiate to regulate or maintain physiological functions in a laid down and narrow array, the systems of positive feedback are planned to drive levels out of typical ranges (Pocock, et al 2013). To accomplish this intention, a sequence of events starts a cascading procedure that forms to raise the stimulus’ effect. This procedure can be advantageous even though is seldom employed by the body because of the risks of the enhancement becoming uncontrollable. One example of positive feedback event within the body is accumulation of blood platelet, which, sequentially, brings about clotting of blood in reaction to a tear or break within the blood vessels’ lining (Longenbaker, 2011). This is what is seen in haemostasis. Oxytocin release is another example which increases the contractions that occur during childbirth. The system of negative feedback on the other hand consists of decreasing the activity or output of whichever system or organ back to the normal functioning range. A classic example of negative feedback is blood pressure regulation. Vessels of blood can sense blood flow resistance against the vessels’ walls once the blood pressure rises (Pocock, et al 2013). The vessels of blood serve as receptors and the message is communicated to the control center which is the brain. The brain eventually transmits the message to the blood vessels and the heart, both being the effectors. The rate of the heart would reduce since vasodilation takes place. This change then causes a fall of blood pressure to its regular range. The vice versa would take place when there is a decrease in blood pressure, and would bring about vasoconstriction. Temperature control is another example of the system of negative feedback. The hypothalamus, designed to monitor the temperature of the body, has the capacity of establishing even the least difference of regular body temperature (Longenbaker, 2011). Reaction to such change may possibly be glands’ stimulation that generates sweat to decrease the body temperature or signaling different muscles to shiver so as to raise body temperature. In terms of differentiating homeostasis and haemostasis, homeostasis involves the system through which a system of biology upholds a stable state, like salinity, acidity, and body temperature. Haemostasis in contrast is whichever systems through which organisms that have a circulatory mechanism prevent leaking out of blood and promote perfusion to the correct organs (Monagle & Massicotte, 2011). Both systems are very essential in the body and work simultaneously. For instance, when someone is stitched following a cut in order to stop bleeding, haemostasis is achieved through stitching. Other things such as shivering and breathing that are done for someone to remain alive (mainly subconsciously) uphold homeostasis. A lot of disease may possibly affect the different organs as well as the body’s organ systems. Imbalance in homeostasis takes place once homeostasis in the body is not able to be upheld and can result in death. Thus, it is imperative to look after the body in addition to maintaining it in order to keep every system in good operating condition. The same significance applies to haemostasis because without it or inability to maintain it could lead to death due to excessive or uncontrolled bleeding. The continuous observation and controlling of internal surrounding is essential for survival. There are several factors that are controlled by the body help in homeostasis maintenance. Some of them include temperature, osmoregulation, sugar, calcium and fluid balance. With respect to osmoregulation for instance, there is regulation of bodily fluids’ osmotic pressure. The body ensures that the content of water in the body is not too concentrated or too diluted. Kidneys assist by removing extra ions from blood. Ultimately, this is passed out as urine and influences osmotic pressure (Longenbaker 65). Conclusion In conclusion, this paper has presented similarities and differences of haemostasis and homeostasis. It is noted that homeostasis deals with maintaining the internal equilibrium in the body whereas haemostasis is concerned with stopping the process of bleeding. One major similarity that is cited between the two systems is that they both involve various systems so as to accomplish their functions effectively. For instance, homeostasis has the positive and negative feedback while haemostasis entails vascular spasm, blood clotting, and platelet plug. Work cited Widmaier, Eric P, Hershel Raff, and Kevin T. Strang. Vander's Human Physiology: The Mechanisms of Body Function. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2006. Print. Pocock, Gillian, Christopher D. Richards, and Dave A. Richards. Human Physiology. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013. Print. Longenbaker, Susannah N. Mader's Understanding Human Anatomy & Physiology. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2011. Print. Monagle, P, and P Massicotte. "Developmental Haemostasis: Secondary Haemostasis." Seminars in Fetal & Neonatal Medicine. 16.6 (2011): 294-300. Print. 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