Feedback Mechanisms

Front

What is homeostasis?

Back

Homeostasis is the process by which living organisms regulate their internal environment to maintain stable, constant conditions despite external changes.

Front

What is a negative feedback loop?

Back

A negative feedback loop is a control mechanism that counteracts changes in a system, helping to maintain homeostasis by reducing the output or activity when a set point is deviated from.

Front

What is a positive feedback loop?

Back

A positive feedback loop is a process that amplifies changes or deviations from a set point, leading to an increase in the output or activity of a system.

Front

What is a stimulus?

Back

A stimulus is any change in the environment that triggers a response in an organism, often leading to a physiological change.

Front

What are set points in the context of homeostasis?

Back

Set points are the ideal values or ranges for physiological variables (like body temperature or blood glucose levels) that the body strives to maintain.

Front

How does negative feedback help maintain homeostasis?

Back

Negative feedback helps maintain homeostasis by counteracting changes and deviations from the desired set point, restoring balance.

Front

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

Back

An example of a negative feedback mechanism is the regulation of body temperature: when body temperature rises, mechanisms such as sweating are activated to cool the body down.

Front

What role do receptors play in feedback mechanisms?

Back

Receptors detect changes in the environment (stimuli) and send signals to the control center to initiate a response.

Front

What is the role of the control center in a feedback loop?

Back

The control center processes information from receptors and determines the appropriate response to maintain homeostasis.

Front

What is an example of a physiological variable that is regulated by homeostasis?

Back

Body temperature, blood glucose levels, and pH levels are examples of physiological variables regulated by homeostasis.