Homeostasis

Front

What is homeostasis?

Back

Maintenance of a relatively constant internal environment.

Front

What are positive feedback systems?

Back

Processes that amplify changes; they move a system away from its equilibrium state.

Front

What are negative feedback systems?

Back

Processes that counteract changes; they help maintain homeostasis by reducing the output or activity.

Front

What is an effector in a feedback loop?

Back

A body part that makes a change to bring the system back to homeostasis.

Front

What is a receptor in a feedback loop?

Back

A sensor that detects changes in the environment.

Front

What is a control center in a feedback loop?

Back

The part of the system that processes the information from the receptor and determines the response.

Front

What is the response in a feedback loop?

Back

The action taken by the effector to restore balance.

Front

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

Back

Pregnancy, where the release of oxytocin increases contractions.

Front

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

Back

Regulation of body temperature; when body temperature rises, mechanisms are activated to cool it down.

Front

What happens when a person begins to exercise?

Back

Their body temperature increases, leading to sweating to cool down.