Negative feedback

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Negative Feedback

Negative feedback (pronounced: /ˈnɛɡətɪv ˈfiːdbæk/) is a fundamental concept in the field of biology and medicine, particularly in the study of homeostasis and endocrinology.

Etymology

The term 'negative feedback' originates from the field of engineering where it was used to describe systems that respond to change by applying a force in the opposite direction. It was later adopted by the medical and biological sciences to describe similar processes in living organisms.

Definition

Negative feedback is a process in which the body responds to a change by initiating mechanisms that will counteract the change. It is a way for the body to maintain a stable internal environment, or homeostasis.

Mechanism

In a negative feedback loop, an increase or decrease in a particular variable triggers a response that tends to move the variable in the opposite direction. This response is triggered by the nervous system or the endocrine system. For example, if the body becomes too hot, the negative feedback mechanism will trigger processes to cool the body down.

Related Terms

  • Homeostasis: The state of steady internal conditions maintained by living things.
  • Endocrine system: The collection of glands that produce hormones that regulate metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, sexual function, reproduction, sleep, and mood, among other things.
  • Nervous system: The complex network of nerves and cells that transmit signals between different parts of the body.
  • Positive feedback: A process in which the body amplifies a change, moving the system further away from its baseline state.

External links

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