Challenges to physiological anticipation

Abstract

Abstract This chapter reviews two remaining questions on rheostasis: What are the consequences of long-term disruption of rheostatic processes to animal health and well-being? How do regulated variables impact programmed or reactive responses in another regulated variable? The chapter addresses the first question by describing scenarios of disrupted rheostatic processes and uses shift work in humans and climate change as examples of detrimental effects on regulated changes in physiological stability. It then addresses the second question by describing Nicholas Mrosovsky’s concept of second order rheostasis, the modulation of rheostasis by altering the set point of the regulatory system, using examples of altered set points caused by conflicts between regulated variables to illustrate the impact of changes in one regulated variable on the set point for another, different regulated variable. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the potential consequences of adapting to the final frontier, and the impact of space exploration on the regulation of physiological processes in humans, and domesticated organisms.