Feedback Mechanisms Flashcards
What are thee two types of feedback mechanisms?
Positive and negative
Why do organisms use feedback mechanisms?
To maintain homeostasis
What is homeostasis?
The mechanism that enables us to keep our internal environment relatively constant
How is homeostasis?
Through feedback mechanisms
What happens in negative feedback?
The stimulus is decreased
What happens in positive feedback?
The stimulus is increased
What is stimulus?
A change in the physical or chemical structure of an organism’s environment
What is a signal?
A coded message that has been sent from one organism to another, or from one place in an organism to another place
What is a response?
The reaction to a signal/message
What mechanism is the most useful for amplifying a condition that is advantageous for the organism?
Positive feedback
What mechanism is the most useful for stopping a condition that is detrimental or limiting a condition to specified levels?
Negative feedback
What is thermoregulation?
A process that allows your body to maintain its core internal temperature
What portion of the brain contains sensors that monitor body temperature?
The hypothalamus
What does the body do to cool down?
Sweat glands increase sweat production and blood vessels in skin dilate radiate heat
What does the body do to warm up?
Muscles generate heat through shivering and blood vessels constrict to reduce heat loss
What mechanism is the body using when it’s hot and dilates blood vessels?
Positive; the response increases until the normal body temperature returns
What mechanisms is the body using when it’s cold and generates heat by shivering?
Positive; the response increases until the normal body temperature returns
Would a positive feedback loop ever be helpful in maintaining homeostasis?
No, because it furthers you from homeostasis
Would a single negative feedback loop ever be helpful in maintaining homeostasis?
No, you need multiple feedback loops
What mechanism does childbirth use?
Positive feedback, stimulus increases until the child is born
What mechanism does lactation in mammals use?
Positive feedback, the oxytocin pathway will continue to be activated until the baby stops suckling
What can alterations in feedback loops lead to?
Diabetes
