Homeostasis and Feedback Loops

Front

What is homeostasis?

Back

Homeostasis is the process by which living organisms maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in external conditions.

Front

What is a feedback loop?

Back

A feedback loop is a biological mechanism in which the output of a system influences its own operation, often to maintain homeostasis.

Front

Define hypertonic solution.

Back

A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solutes compared to another solution, leading to the movement of water out of cells.

Front

Define hypotonic solution.

Back

A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes compared to another solution, causing water to move into cells.

Front

Define isotonic solution.

Back

An isotonic solution has an equal concentration of solutes compared to another solution, resulting in no net movement of water into or out of cells.

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

Osmosis is the diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.

Front

What role does the cell membrane play in osmosis?

Back

The cell membrane is a selectively permeable barrier that allows water to pass through while controlling the movement of solutes.

Front

What is negative feedback?

Back

Negative feedback is a process that counteracts a change in a system, helping to return it to its set point, such as regulating body temperature.

Front

What is positive feedback?

Back

Positive feedback is a process that amplifies a change in a system, leading to an even greater change, such as during childbirth.

Front

How does overgrazing affect deer populations?

Back

Overgrazing by deer can lead to a decrease in vegetation, which in turn causes a decline in the deer population due to lack of food.