Understanding Living Systems: A Primer on Physiology

Homeostasis: Maintaining Internal Balance

Homeostasis is the ability of a biological system to maintain internal stability despite external fluctuations. This involves complex feedback mechanisms that regulate variables like temperature, pH, and blood glucose levels.

The simulation allows you to adjust factors such as ambient temperature and nutrient availability, observing how these changes trigger responses within a virtual organism – demonstrating negative and positive feedback loops.

ΔT = (K/A) * Δt  (Change in Temperature = Heat Transfer / Area * Time)

Circulatory Systems: Fluid Dynamics and Pressure

The circulatory system – heart, blood vessels, and blood – is crucial for transporting oxygen, nutrients, and waste products throughout the body. It relies heavily on fluid dynamics principles.

Within the simulation, you can modify parameters like arterial resistance, venous compliance, and cardiac output to see how these changes affect blood flow distribution and pressure gradients.

ΔP = Q / A (Change in Pressure = Flow Rate / Area)

Nervous System: Electrical Signaling and Synaptic Transmission

The nervous system uses electrical signals to transmit information rapidly throughout the body. This involves action potentials, synaptic transmission, and neurotransmitter release.

Explore how altering neuronal conductivity, synapse strength, and neurotransmitter concentrations impacts signal propagation within the simulation’s neural network.

V = Δt/R (Voltage = Time / Resistance)

Feedback Mechanisms: Regulation through Loops

Feedback loops are essential for maintaining homeostasis. Negative feedback reduces the initial stimulus, while positive feedback amplifies it.

The simulation demonstrates both types of feedback – observing how a change in one system triggers responses that either counteract or reinforce the original change. Manipulate gain and thresholds to visualize these effects.

None (Conceptual Representation)

Frequently asked questions

Try it live

Everything above runs in your browser — open Michaelis-Menten Kinetics and change the parameters while it is running. Nothing is installed, nothing is uploaded, the whole model lives in one tab.