Feedback

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Feedback (Medicine)

Feedback (pronunciation: /ˈfiːdbæk/) is a term used in the field of medicine to describe a mechanism, process or signal that is looped back to control a system within itself. This concept is fundamental in the regulation of various biological systems and processes.

Etymology

The term "feedback" originates from the English words "feed" and "back", which together imply the notion of giving back what has been received. It was first used in the context of mechanical and electronic systems, but has since been applied to biological systems as well.

Types of Feedback

In medicine, feedback is typically categorized into two main types: positive feedback and negative feedback.

  • Positive feedback amplifies changes and moves the system away from its initial state. It is less common in biological systems, but when it does occur, it usually serves a specific purpose. For example, in childbirth, the release of oxytocin triggers uterine contractions, which in turn stimulate more oxytocin release, leading to a positive feedback loop until the process is complete.
  • Negative feedback counteracts changes and helps the system return to its initial state, promoting stability. An example of this is the regulation of blood sugar levels in the body. When these levels rise, the pancreas produces insulin to promote glucose uptake by cells, thereby reducing blood sugar levels back to normal.

Related Terms

  • Homeostasis: The state of steady internal conditions maintained by living things. This dynamic state of equilibrium is the condition of optimal functioning for the organism and includes many variables, such as body temperature and fluid balance, being kept within certain pre-set limits (homeostatic range).
  • Hormone: Chemical messengers that are secreted directly into the blood, which carries them to organs and tissues of the body to exert their functions. They are responsible for many of the body’s major processes, including metabolism, reproduction, and mood.
  • 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.

External links

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