Basic Feedback Loops
What is a negative feedback loop?
A process where a change in a system triggers a response that counteracts the change, maintaining balance.
The brain (specifically the hypothalamus).
The body starts sweating to cool down, which lowers the temperature.
What is the term for the process by which the body maintains internal balance?
Homeostasis.
The buffering system in the blood maintains a stable pH by neutralizing acids and bases.
In a negative feedback loop, what happens when a system is disturbed?
The system responds by trying to bring itself back to a state of equilibrium or balance.
What hormone is released in response to high blood sugar levels to restore balance?
Insulin.
In plants, how does a negative feedback loop help control water loss?
The stomata close to prevent excess water loss in hot or dry conditions.
What do we call the sensor that detects changes in a negative feedback loop?
A receptor.
How does the human body regulate oxygen levels in the blood?
By increasing or decreasing the breathing rate in response to low or high oxygen levels.
True or False: A negative feedback loop amplifies changes in a system.
In response to a drop in blood pressure, what does the body do to bring it back to normal?
The body releases adrenaline to increase heart rate and blood pressure.
What happens to the heart rate during exercise, and how does it return to normal?
Heart rate increases during exercise, and after exercise, the body uses negative feedback to return the heart rate to normal.
What is the term for the component of a negative feedback loop that brings about the response to counteract the change?
Effector.
What role does the thyroid gland play in maintaining homeostasis?
The thyroid releases hormones that regulate metabolism and energy balance.
Give an example of a process that uses negative feedback in the human body.
What part of the body monitors and regulates blood glucose levels?
The pancreas.
How does the body react to an increase in carbon dioxide levels in the blood?
The respiratory rate increases to remove excess CO2 and restore balance.
What part of the brain helps regulate temperature and initiates responses to return to homeostasis?
Answer: Hypothalamus.
How does negative feedback help in controlling blood pressure?
Sensors detect high blood pressure, and the body responds by dilating blood vessels to reduce pressure.
What is the difference between a negative feedback loop and a positive feedback loop?
A negative feedback loop counteracts changes to maintain balance, while a positive feedback loop amplifies changes.
What is the term for the process in which the body restores its internal environment to stable conditions after a disruption?
Homeostasis.
What happens in the human body when you get dehydrated?
The body increases the release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which signals the kidneys to retain water and restore balance.
What is the term for the range of conditions in which a system can function optimally?
Set point.
What is the term for a feedback loop that acts to restore equilibrium in a system?
Negative feedback loop.