The dynamics of quantifiable homeostasis I. The individual

Abstract

In this field of enquiry, “homeostasis” is understood in the sense of Bernard, Cannon, and Wiener, that is, with the system of continuous adjustments, in a trait not inherently stable, to meet the challenges of the environment. It is shown that the clinical fitness of a trait may depend on factors other than the mean or the variance. In particular the broad pattern of variation of the phenotype may be of importance and hence the characteristics of the homeostatic mechanisms for the control of traits subject to variation: notably the homing value (the “setting” of the homeostat), and the strength with which the organism responds to departures from this value. These parameters are related, but perhaps only remotely, to the traditional notion of the value of a phenotype. In general, where the environmental value is variable, there exist circumstances in which the optimal control would be neither extremely tight nor extremely loose. For instance, anticipatory action on the part of the body may be vitiated by too tight a control. Some illustrations are given of genetic disorders in which there is a fault in the strength of control. While neither the pattern of inheritance nor the impact on the species is explored in detail, the broad implications are indicated. Compromise adjustments are explored where two or more traits are regulated through the same homeostatic device.