HOMEOSTASIS AND FEEDBACK MECHANISM

What is Homeostasis?

-The maintenance of a constant internal changes in:

 Changing of conditions of the external environment.

 The changing of conditions in the internal environment.

How is Homeostasis achieved?

 FUNCTIONAL - The metabolism of animal or plant is able to adjust to changes in conditions as

they are detected.
 STRUCTURAL – The animal or plant has particular physical features which help its survival in
an otherwise hostile environment.
 BEHAVIORAL – The actions and interactions of the individual, either alone or with others,
help it to survive in its particular environment.

What is Feedback Mechanism?

-Feedback Mechanisms are the general mechanisms of hormonal regulation in animals.

 NEGATIVE FEEDBACK – is when the response diminishes the original

stimulus.
 POSITIVE FEEDBACK – is when the response enhances or amplify the
original stimulus.

FEEDBACK LOOPS

 STIMULUS – The change from ideal or resting conditions.

 RECEPTORS – The cells or tissue which detects the change due to the stimulus.
 RELAY – The transmission of the message via nerves or hormones or both to the effector.
 EFFECTOR – The cells or tissue, usually a gland or muscle, which cause the response to
happen.
 RESPONSE – An action at cell, tissue or whole organism level which would not have occurred
in the absence of the stimulus.
 FEEDBACK – The consequence of the response on the stimulus. (Positive or Negative)
 EXAMPLES OF NEGATIVE FEEDBACK

Example No. 1
 Exercise creates metabolic heat which raises the body temperature (the stimulus)
 Cooling mechanisms such as vasodilatation (flushed skin)and sweating begin (the response)
 Body temperature falls (thus decreasing the original stimulus)

Example No.2
 Blood glucose concentrations rise after a sugary meal (the stimulus)
 The hormone insulin is released and it speed up the transport of glucose out of the blood and
into selected tissues (the response)
 So blood glucose concentrations decreased (thus decreasing the original stimulus)

EXAMPLE OF NEGATIVE FEEDBACK LOOPS :

SWEATING
STIMULUS – Change in temperature

HOMEOSTATIC CHANGE – Normal body temperature.

RECEPTOR – Skin (Nerve Endings)

CONTROL CENTER – Brain

EFFECTOR – Sweat glands

RESPONSE – Produce sweat

FEEDBACK – Maintain the normal condition

 EXAMPLE OF POSITIVE FEEDBACK

Example No. 1
 A ripening apple releases the volatile plant hormone ethylene (the stimulus)
 The ethylene accelerates the ripening of unripe fruit in its vicinity so nearby fruit also ripens,
releasing more ethylene (the response)
 All fruit quickly becomes ripe together.

Example No. 2

 A baby begins to suck her mother’s nipple and a few drops of milk are released (the stimulus)
 This encourages the baby and release a hormone in the mother which further stimulates the
release of milk (the response)
 The hungry baby continues to suckle, stimulating more milk release until she stops.

Positive feedback is less common which is understandable, as most changes to steady state pose a
threat, and to enhance them would be most unhelpful.