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
