Question

Explain Homeostasis and its role as a Negative Feedback System. Write out a specific example, making sure to include and identify the Regulated Parameter, Sensor, Afferent pathway, Central Processor, Efferent pathway, and Effector of your specific example. I am not interested in a drawing, bullet points or outlines, but a written-out answer to the question that makes sense and that is in chronological order. Include both when the regulated parameter is too high and when the regulated parameter is too low.

Answer 1

Homeostasis is the tendency to resist change in order to maintain a stable, relatively constant internal environment. Homeostasis typically involves negative feedback loops that counteract changes of various properties from their target values, known as set points.

A negative feedback system has three basic components: a sensor, control center and an effector.

Negative feedback loops are used to maintain homeostasis and achieve the set point within a system. Negative feedback loops are characterized by their ability to either increase or decrease a stimulus, inhibiting the ability of the stimulus to continue as it did prior to sensing of the receptor.

Homeostasis is generally maintained by a negative feedback loop that includes a stimulus, sensor, control center, and effector. Negative feedback serves to reduce an excessive response and to keep a variable within the normal range. Negative feedback loops control body temperature and the blood glucose level.

Negative feedback mechanism work to return controlled variables back towards the normal range. Negative feedback mechanisms maintain homeostasis by producing sweat when the body has generated excessive body heat.

Examples of processes that utilise negative feedback loops include homeostatic systems, such as: Thermoregulation (if body temperature changes, mechanisms are induced to restore normal levels) Blood sugar regulation (insulin lowers blood glucose when levels are high ; glucagon raises blood glucose when levels are low)