Homeostasis and Feedback Loops

Front

What is homeostasis?

Back

The process by which organisms maintain a relatively stable internal environment.

Front

What is the role of the control center in homeostasis?

Back

Sends a message to the effector.

Front

What happens when blood sugar levels are high?

Back

Insulin is released.

Front

What could result from failure to maintain homeostasis?

Back

Lack of internal balance, eventual death, and difficulty carrying on metabolism.

Front

What type of feedback loop is involved in maintaining homeostasis?

Back

Negative feedback loop.

Front

What is a feedback loop?

Back

A biological mechanism that regulates physiological processes by using information from the output to adjust the input.

Front

What is negative feedback?

Back

A process that counteracts a change in a physiological variable to maintain homeostasis.

Front

What is positive feedback?

Back

A process that amplifies a change in a physiological variable, moving the system away from its starting state.

Front

Give an example of a negative feedback loop in the human body.

Back

Regulation of body temperature.

Front

Give an example of a positive feedback loop in the human body.

Back

Childbirth process where oxytocin increases contractions.