Responses of organisms are caused by internal stimuli.How is fever and vomiting beneficial to the

human body?What some internal/external stimuli for

vomiting, fever, hunger, or thirst?

External stimulusFeverHomeostasisHungerInternal stimulus

ResponseStimulus (stimuli – plural)ThirstVomit

Effect: Julie’s phone gets disconnected.

Effect: Peter gets a speeding ticket.

Cause: Julie doesn’t pay her phone bill.

Cause: Peter is driving 60 mph in a 30 mph zone. A police officer stops Peter.

Cause: Sam eats a lot of junk food and never exercises.Effect: Sam will probably

gain weight.

Effect: Sandra trips and falls

Effect: Amber’s car no longer runs.

Cause: Sandra leaves her shoe laces untied and someone steps

on her shoe lace.

Cause: Amber’s car runs out of gas

Cause: John didn’t study for his science test.

Effect: John failed his science test.

VomitWhat is vomit?

You have many names for vomit, such as throw-up, barf, upchuck, hurl, or puke. The actual term for vomit is emesis, which is a Greek word for “to vomit”. Whatever you call it, it’s all the same thing: vomit is soggy, half-digested food along with stomach mucus, saliva, stomach acids, and other chemicals that quickly exit up your throat and out of your mouth.

At one time or another, everyone has experienced a fever or has vomited. These two occurrences are not pleasant, but they so serve their purpose. Even

though they make you feel miserable, this is actually your body’s way of keeping you healthy

and safe.

Vomit cont. Why do we vomit?

There are several reasons why we vomit. Food poisoning, illness, feeling nervous or scared, eating too much, pregnancy, and motion sickness are some reasons. For whatever reason you vomit, whenever something is upsetting your stomach, warning signals are sent to your brain to an area called the emetic center. This center tells your body to quickly get rid of whatever is upsetting you, and this is done by vomiting.

How does vomit happen? Your digestive system carries food down your throat,

into your stomach, and through your intestines which leads to the rectum. If you have a virus or other germs in your body, if you feel dizzy or nervous, or if you are pregnant or overeat, the muscles in your stomach push food up back to your mouth. Vomit is forcefully exerted out of your mouth so your body can feel better.

Vomit cont. After we vomit

Even though vomiting can feel pretty disgusting and smell really gross, you will feel a lot better after you vomit. Remember, whatever made you feel bad is now gone, so it’s back to normal for your system.

Fever What is fever?

The definition for fever is when the body temp. rises. To truly understand what a fever is, you first need to understand what the hypothalamus is. The hypothalamus is in the center of the brain and acts as the body’s thermostat. The hypothalamus tries to keep your body at its average temp. of 98.6oF. Anytime that temp. rises a fever will occur.

Fever cont.Why do we get a fever?

A person’s temp. might rise for many reasons. Fever occurs when the body’s immune response is triggered by pyrogens (fever-producing substances). Pyrogens usually come from a source outside the body such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, drugs, and toxins. Examples of pyrogens are colds, the flu, tonsillitis, ear infections, bronchitis, and tetanus.

Fever cont. How does a fever happen?

When the body senses fever-producing substances (pyrogens), the hypothalamus then raises the body temp. Your body rises in temp. to make the conditions hotter. Shivering may occur, which will help increase the hear in your body. Most pyrogens cannot handle the temp. that a fever brings, so the pyrogens greatly weaken or be destroyed.

Temp. up to 100.8oF are considered low-grade, a temp. between 101oF-102oF is considered a mild fever, and a fever between 102oF-103oF is considered a moderate fever, and anything above 104oF is considered a high fever. High fever, for a prolonged time can damage the body.

Fever cont. After a fever

Once the fever-producing substance (pyrogen) disappears, the hypothalamus will set the body temp. back to normal. At this time, you might start to feel warm and you may sweat. Don’t worry, these are signs that you’re getting back to your old self.

Overview Even though you might feel lousy when you

vomit of have a fever, your body is actually trying to help you get better. Different reasons like food poisoning, to overeating, or pyrogens such as the cold and the flu, are stimuli. Stimuli are things that cause an organism to perform an activity or start a reaction. The reactions are what occur in response to the stimuli like vomiting or having a fever.

Food poisoning

Vomiting, fever

Cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting

Drinking untreated water or contaminated food

Influenza (flu)

Felt like he was coming down with a cold but it got worse

Runny nose, sore throat, high fever, fatigue, weakness

Virus infection

Concussion

Serious head injuries

Unconscious, confusion, dizziness, headaches, vomiting

Serious blow to the head

Going without food

Worked all morning without food and water, smells meat

Mouth waters, stomach growls

Drop in sugar and water levels in blood

Vomiting Fever

Overeating Cholera Mountain sickness Migraine Motion sickness Infections Flu Upset stomach Stomach virus Appendicitis Food poisoning Food allergy Brain tumor Balance disorders Brain infection

Common cold Viruses Chest infection Ear infection Meningitis Tuberculosis Pneumonia Chicken pox Measles Mumps Viral infection Heat exposure Food poisoning Dehydration Dengue fever Flu

The following are lists of conditions that cause vomiting and fever. Notice that some conditions are listed on both

columns.