FEEDBACK MECHANISMS

What is Feedback?

Feedback is the process in which part of the output

of a system is returned to its input in order to
regulate its further output.
 Negative Feedback

■ Negative feedback occurs when the

output of a system acts to oppose
changes to the input of the system.

■ A thermostat is an example of a negative

feedback system.
 Room temp Set point
increases is reached

Room temp is Room temp is

below the above the
setpoint setpoint

Set point Room temp

is reached decreases

A thermostat is a device for regulating the temperature of a system so that

the system's temperature is maintained near a desired setpoint temperature.
 Negative Feedback in Biology
■ Negative feedback also
regulates many systems in
organisms.
■ The endocrine system is one
example.
■ This diagram shows a
negative feedback loop for
stress hormones.
■ Areas of negative feedback
are indicated with a minus
sign, (-).
 hand in hand
Yirculatory Endocrine System
88Ym
■ The endocrine system is DONOWWhich 2systems
work together to maintain
composed of glands that homeostasis Howdothey
produces chemical do it
messengers called hormones. Endocrine System
NervousSystem ysapeonsg.ee
Thebrainsends signals to the
■ Hormones are produced in endocrine glandsto secrete and
releasehormones glandsthen
one part of the body and sendfeedback tonervous
system
travel to target organs hormonesthat transferred
through the bloodstream. through get
Endocrine a Circulatory System
7 slidesdown
 Endocrine system
hormones

■ Glands of the endocrine Distances slow signals

system include:
■ Pituitary gland Liver
■ Thyroid Gland
■ Parathyroid glands
■ Thymus
■ Adrenal glands
■ Pancreas
■ Ovary and Testis
hypothalamus
 Endocrine System
■ The brain continuously sends
signals to the endocrine glands
to secrete and release
hormones and the glands, in
turn, send feedback to the
nervous system.

■ The hypothalamus in the brain

is the master switch that
sends signals to the pituitary
gland which can release up to
eight hormones into the
bloodstream.
 Endocrine System

■ The hormone travels to its

target organ and usually
results in the release of
another hormone into the
bloodstream.
Notall sameshape shapedictatesfunction

Endocrine System

■ The hypothalamus then detects the rising hormone

specific
levels from thertarget organ and decreases the
release of hormones from the pituitary which results
in a decrease in hormone release from the target
organ.

■ The process of maintaining normal body function

through negative feedback mechanisms is called
homeostasis.
 Glucose and Insulin
Pancreas
■ Glucose intake occurs during
digestion of food that is needed
for energy expenditure to
perform routine physical
activities. Glucose is neededforglycolysisto
occur ATP Liver
■ The pancreas is the key organ
that regulates the glucose levels
in body
selcretes by secreting two
hormones, insulin and glucagon.

insulin
 Glucose and Insulin
Pancreas

■ The liver also helps to

store the excess glucose in
form of glycogen to be
utilized later. Liver
 Glucose and Insulin Negative Feedback
answer to
DO NOW Loop
Boy eating cake
INSULIN
An
takein Increases
glucose Glucose
Levels

(-) Stimulates β cells of

CYCLE 1
Lowers Blood pancreas to secrete insulin
Glucose levels

Insulin stimulates the

cells to take up glucose
from the blood.
both equal
 negative feedbackmechanism
CYCLE 2

Low Blood Glucose

Levels
longterm
storageofglucoseeih.ve
glucagon (-)
Stimulated Alpha Cells in
High blood glucose levels breaks Pancreas
and Cycle 1 continues down releases
glycogen
glucose

Glucagon is released
Glucagon stimulates liver cells to
release glucose into the blood
 Glucose and Insulin Negative Feedback
Loop
■ Two primary Hormones
Insulin Glucagon

Lowers Blood Glucose Raises Blood Glucose

Levels Levels

The opposite actions of these two hormones, insulin and

glucagon, helps to maintain normal blood sugar levels in
the body hence maintain homeostasis of the body.
 Take a Break and Chat With Your
Neighbor!
■ Turn to the person behind or in front of you and
discuss the following topics:
■ What is a feedback and an example of a negative
AND positive system?
■ What is the endocrine system and why is it
important?
■ Define homeostasis and how normal body
function is maintained with feedback
mechanisms.
Kidneys and Water Regulation
■ The kidneys play a key role in maintaining
water regulation.
Renal Cortex

Renal Medulla
Kidney and Water Regulation

■ The nephron is the

most important
functional part of the
kidney.
■ It filters nutrients like
salts and amino acids
in the Bowman’s
capsule into
ascending loop and
filters the urine.
 w
mebladesmolisly
w
Jay Kidney and Water Regulation
Anti-Diuretic Hormone, ADH (also called vasopressin), is
secreted by the pituitary gland and acts on the nephron
to conserve water and regulate the tonicity of body fluids.

Anti-
Diuretic
Hormone

ADH acts on Nephron to

reabsorb water and decrease
blood osmolality (saltiness)
importantbloodhassomewater need ittostayliquid

gets
ADH regulated water conservation in
kidneys Excess water
Less water in the
blood in the blood

Stimulates osmoreceptors in Stimulates osmoreceptors in

hypothalamus to send signals to hypothalamus to send signals to
the pituitary gland the pituitary gland

Pituitary glands secretes Pituitary glands secretes

high levels of ADH low levels of ADH

Less ADH makes the tubules less

ADH makes the tubules more permeable
permeable and less water is reabsorbed
and more water is reabsorbed back into the
back into the bloodstream (urine is
bloodstream (urine is concentrated).
dilute).
 ADH regulated water conservation in
kidneys
■ Osmoregulators send negative feedback to the
hypothalamus about the concentration of water in the
bloodstream.
■ The hypothalamus then stimulates the pituitary glands
to secrete high or low concentrations of anti-diuretic
hormone.
■ ADH then makes the tubules more or less permeable
and hence, maintains water and electrolyte
homeostasis.
 a diff wayforglucosetobebrokendown
Temperature regulation of Body

■ Animals that are capable of maintaining their bogy

temperature within a given range are called
homeotherms. warmedblooded
animals
Whenwesweatanditeventually evaporates wegetwarmer

■ Temperature is regulated by negative feedback

f control.
an humansgoup asnipergame no
■ Thermoreceptors located in hypothalamus detect
temperature fluctuations in the body.
detect a bodytemp
change in
Cheeks
Temperature
frorunning
Regulation of the Body
hands get cold1st
■ Increased temperature causes
vasodilatation (blood vessels near
the surface of the skin dilate).
■ The large surface area allows heat
to be lost from the blood and
lowers the body temperature.

■ Sweating also helps lower the temperature.

■ Decreased temperature causes vasoconstriction (blood vessels
constrict) and minimal heat loss occurs which helps maintain
body temperature.
■ Hair on the body provides insulation and helps maintain body
temperature.
 Positive Feedback
■ A positive feedback loop occurs when the output of a
system acts to enhance the changes to the input of the
system.

■ One example of a biological positive feedback loop is

the onset of contractions in childbirth.

■ When a contraction occurs, the hormone oxytocin

is released into the body, which stimulates further
contractions.

■ This results in contractions increasing in amplitude

and frequency.
Afterfeedbackloops everything kindafinishes

Positive Feedback
■ Another example is blood clotting.
■ The loop is initiated when injured tissue releases
signal chemicals that activate platelets in the
blood.
■ An activated platelet releases chemicals to activate
more platelets, causing a rapid cascade and the
formation of a blood clot.
child fed
■ Lactation involves positive feedback so that the more
the baby suckles, the more milk is produced.
 Positive Feedback
■ In most cases, once the purpose of the feedback loop is
completed, counter-signals are released that suppress or
break the loop.

■ Childbirth contractions stop when the baby is out of

the mother's body.

■ Chemicals break down the blood clot.

■ Lactation stops when the baby no longer nurses.

 Take a Break and Chat With Your
Neighbor!
■ Turn to the person behind or in front of you and
discuss the following topics:
■ What are the roles of the kidneys in the body?
■ How do the kidneys compare or contrast to the
feedback systems in the endocrine system?
■ How does the body regulate temperature?
■ Define and give examples of a positive feedback
system in the body.