University of Guyana

Faculty of Natural Sciences

Department of Biology

BIO3220 – Animal Physiology

Laboratory Exercise # 6
Homeostasis

Name of Student
Naiomi Persaud

Date of Submission:
April 10, 2020
Title: Homeostasis

Aim: To observe the pulse rate of the human body before and after exercising.

Introduction: General information on homeostasis and pulse rate.

Homeostasis can be simply defined as the processes performed by the body such as body
functions, body fluids and other factors are clearly maintained within the range of values that are
considered stable conditions necessary to support life. The phrase Homeostasis was named by
the physician Walter Cannon in 1930 when he published his book “The Wisdom of the Body
(Rodolfo, 2000). The endocrine system is an important factor in maintaining balance in the
human body due to the fact that hormones regulate the activity of body cells and this release of
hormones into the blood is controlled by a specific stimulus. A feedback regulation occurs when
the response to a stimulus has a contrasting reaction on the original stimulus. A positive
feedback can occur when the response to a stimulus increases the original stimulus (CK12
Foundation, 2014). If a deviation from homeostasis occurs, normally a negative feedback system
is set into place to prevent this. In negative feedback response to a stimulus reduces the original
stimulus. Regulation and homeostasis are done by a negative feedback system which maintains
the balance by the utilizing specific body functions (Rodolfo, 2000). A pulse rate can be defined
as is the number of times each contraction of the heart muscle beats per minute (BPM). In the
circulatory system, homeostasis occurs by chemical signals called neurotransmitters which
activate nerve cells and allow them to communicate with other nerve and muscle cells (Blue,
2020). The hormones norepinephrine which is for noradrenaline and epinephrine which
activates adrenaline is used by the sympathetic nervous system and cause the increased the speed
of the heart rate. Exercise is known to increase the normal heart rate of 60 to 80 beats per minute
to a maximum of about 200 beats per minute (Blue, 2020). This increase in heart rate is to be
tested in this experiment, to detemine if the beats per minute (BPM) can increase during exercise
of if it remains relatively in the consistent value.
Method:

1. The pulse rate of the radial artery of a family member was recorded. This was done by
placing the index and middle finger on the underside of their wrist, below the base of the
thumb. Three separate readings at 30 seconds each were taken. The beats per minute was
taken by multiplying each reading by two and finding the average. This was recorded in
table one and used as the trial 1 value in table two.
2. Step one was repeated on the experimenter by the family member.
3. The experimenter and family member ran on the spot for three minutes using a timer.
Immediately after the three minutes, both pulse rates were read by following the
instructions at step one. These results were recorded as trial 2 in table two.
4. Both family members rested for five minutes and the pulse rate was recorded again as
trial 3 in table two.
5. Steps three and four were repeated for two more times. The pulse rates were recorded and
used as the results for trials 4-7.

Results:

Table one (1) showing the resting pulse rate of two test subjects

Test Subject Pulse rate 1 Pulse Rate 2 Pulse Rate 3 Average

Family member 78 82 82 81
Experimenter 80 72 68 73
 Table two (2) showing the different pulse rates of two test subjects before and after exercising

Trial Activity Your pulse rate Family member pulse

rate
1 Average resting pulse 73 81
rate
2 Immediately after 106 114
exercising
3 After resting for five 84 78
minutes
4 Immediately after 106 102
exercising
5 After resting for five 84 76
minutes
6 Immediately after 98 92
exercising
7 After resting for five 80 72
minutes

Discussion:

1. Compare your pulse rate to that of your family member. Give a possible reason (s) for
any difference observed.

The experimenter’s pulse rate is slightly lower than the pulse rate of the family member by a
difference of 8 beats per minute. This can be due to various reasons which include age
difference, diet and stress (HealthLink BC, 2019).

2. The normal pulse rate for adults is 60-90 beats per minute. Compare this to your pulse
rate. Give a possible reason (s) for any difference observed.

The pulse rate of the researcher was found to be 73 beats per minute (BPM); this falls within the
range of 60-90 beats per minute and can be justified as a normal and healthy pulse rate.

3. How does your pulse rate change after running on the spot? Why do you think this
happens?
The researcher’s pulse rate significantly increased after running on the spot from 73 beats per
minute (BPM) to the maximum of 106 beats per minute (BPM) during the experiment. This
increase in heart rate can be based on the assumption that, during exercise the muscles that are
being used to complete the activity require more oxygen. This happens to ensure the fulfillment
of increased oxygen demand of the muscles and body. The heart begins to pump more blood in
order for oxygen to be supplied to the muscles, hence the increase in beats per minute (Harmon,
2011).

4. How do you think your pulse rate will differ after exercising with that of a trained
athlete? Explain.

In comparison with the beats per minute of a trained athlete and the experimenter, there would be
a difference in the heart rate. Athletes are consistently exercising, so the body is responsive to
adapt to the physical activity faster than the experimenter’s who spontaneously decided to
exercise. Athletes also have a tendency to have heart rates which return to resting periods faster
after exercise (Harmon, 2011).

5. How does the body regulate temperature increases while exercising?

During exercise, the body temperature is increased and this is due to the amount heat being
produced. This change in body temperature is detected by central and skin thermoreceptors
where the sensory information is then transported to the brain which initiates the correct effector
response. Evaporation of sweat and increased skin blood flow are two ways the body responds to
the change in body temperature (Gleeson, 1998).

Conclusion:

The beats per minute (BPM) of both test subjects were recorded to be in the normal and healthy
ranges. There was also a significant increase in beats per minute (BPM) from 70 beats per
minute (BPM) to about 115 beats per minute (BPM) after exercising which fell within the
standard range. It was also observed that the heart rate return to the initial beats per minute
during the 5-minute resting period. It can be concluded that exercising does influence the heart
rate of an individual.
References:

Blue, M.-L. (2020). Chemoreceptors & Heart Rate. https://sciencing.com/chemoreceptors-heart-

rate-6498597.html

CK12 Foundation. (2014). Homeostasis and Regulation in the Human Body ‹ OpenCurriculum.
https://opencurriculum.org/5385/homeostasis-and-regulation-in-the-human-body/

Gleeson, M. (1998). Temperature regulation during exercise. International Journal of Sports

Medicine, 19(SUPPL. 2). https://doi.org/10.1249/00003677-198401000-00013

Harmon, K. (2011). Jumping Heartbeat: Exercise Your Pulse - Scientific American.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/jumping-heartbeat-exercise-your-pulse-bring-
science-home/

HealthLink BC. (2019). Change in Heartbeat | HealthLink BC.

https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/aa53422

Rodolfo, E. (2000). What is Homeostasis? - Scientific American.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-is-homeostasis/