What is the relationship between stress and homeostasis?

stress and homeostasis are contrary to each other in the body of the living organism. The organism is designed to be in a state of homeostasis where all systems in its body work optimally. Stress pushes the body from homeostasis and forces it to compensate for changes in the environment or within its internal systems. In biology, stress can refer to physical and environmental challenges, as well as emotional and psychological challenges that may affect the body of the organism.

Organisms are never fully stress -free, and therefore they are never in the actual state of homeostasis, although they are usually in a state that is relatively stable. Stress in an environment such as those that are caused by temperature or the presence of danger, as well as those in the body, such as stress caused by hunger, thirst or emotional discomfort, will cause the body to move from homeostasis as soon as the stressor is solved. Most of the time are stress and homeostashable, which allows the body to survive, even if it does not always prosper.

One of the easiest recognizable examples of the connection between stress and homeostasis is the adrenal reaction, which is seen in humans and many other animals. In this process of stressor, such as fear caused by the presence of the predator, the body causes the body to release adrenaline so that it can escape the danger and survive. Stressor causes the body to leave the state of homeostasis and enter into a state of "fighting or flight" in which the heart beats faster, breathing accelerates and unnecessary systems such as digestion and color vision are temporarily switched off. Once the threat is no longer present, the body calms down and returns to the state of homeostasis.

Although stress and homeostasis are often discussed because of their relationship in response to the adrenal glad, they are also interconnected in the aspects of the life of the organism. If there is not enough nutrients in the organism system, it will create stress in the body, making the body to find more food. If it is too cold, stress will causethat the organism will try to warm up, such as shivers. Emotional stress also causes the body to leave homeostasis, often through the adrenal response. With emotional stress, it is more difficult to balance stress and homeostasis, because the threat is not as well defined as other threats as predation.