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Allostasis is a theory that explains how organisms regulate their internal systems based on previous experiences. It prioritizes adaptability over stability and allows for trading between different systems. The organism’s brain evaluates situations to determine which systems need extra energy. Prediction is used to regulate the amount of resources entering each system.
Allostasis is a theory used to explain how an organism regulates its internal systems. It was first developed in the 1980s as an alternative to homeostasis. The main difference between these two theories is that the principle of homeostasis assumes that an organism attempts to maintain internal stability, whereas the allostasis theory states that the organism attempts to regulate its internal systems in a way that is most suitable for the current situation , based on the previous experiences of the organism. The principles of allostasis state that stability is less important than adaptability and that internal systems are not designed to be perfectly stable.
There are a number of principles that define allostasis. The first is that organisms have evolved so that their internal systems are efficient. The needs of each system are based on the average amount an organism can metabolize and the average amount each system needs. An organism is also designed to be able to put more energy into a given system, such as the digestive system after eating or the respiratory system when running, as needed.
Since average input and output are not always achievable, an organism is able to trade between different systems. These trades are regulated by the organism’s brain, which evaluates situations in order to determine which systems need the extra energy and which can do without it for a while. The adrenal response is one example. When faced with a dangerous situation, the adrenal gland releases a hormone that causes respiration, heart rate and blood pressure to increase, the digestive system to shut down, and some aspects of vision, such as the ability to see colors, to disappear.
One of the principles of allostasis, which differs significantly from homeostasis, is that an organism uses prediction to regulate the amount of resources entering each system. This predictive ability means that an organism will voluntarily leave its mean state when it predicts that a change will be needed. An example of this is the increase in the amount of insulin in the blood in anticipation of eating, such as when smelling food. The insulin level is regulated before glucose enters the bloodstream, forcing the body to undergo a chemical change. These adjustments assume that the organism has learned, through evolution or adaptation, that adjustments will be needed in the future to remain in a state of allostasis.
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