GENERAL BIOLOGY

(REVIEWER)

FEEDBACK MECHANISM
HOMEOSTASIS
- Homeostasis refers to the body's ability to maintain a constant internal environment.
- It is important because it allows your body to function well in spite of the ever-changing
external environment.
- Some of the substances that need to be maintained inside your body include glucose,
water, a healthy amount of carbon dioxide and oxygen, and mineral salts such as
sodium and chlorine.
- Internal conditions such as temperature, blood pressure, and hormone concentration
also need to be regulated.

FEEDBACK LOOP SIMPLIFIED

WHAT TRIGGERS REACTION?

- A body is said to be in homeostasis or equilibrium if it is under a specific range of
condition, which is also called as a set point. Example of set points:
➢ Normal pH of human blood: 7.35-7.45
➢ Blood glucose: 70-110 m/dl
➢ Blood pressure: 90/60-120/80mmHg
➢ Body Temperature: 36.1-37.2°C
➢ Heartbeat: 60-100 beats/min

PROCESS OF HOMEOSTASIS
 I. The change in the set point is termed as STIMULUS, and stimulus will be detected by
the sensory RECEPTORS.
II. Once the receptors perceived these changes, it will send a signal to the BRAIN
which is also the CONTROL CENTER/INTEGRATOR
III. The feedback from the brain will then be sent to the EFFECTORS. These effectors are
cells/muscles/glands that will execute or act the needed reaction or feedback.

HOMEOSTASIS THROUGH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE FEEDBACK MECHANISM

STIMULUS-RESPONSE FEEDBACK MODEL

EXAMPLE OF A FEEDBACK MECHANISM

POSITIVE VS. NEGATIVE FEEDBACK
 ASSESSMENT (di me sure sa answers)
1. As an organism becomes dehydrated, their blood turns to be denser and tougher to
pump; as a result, the kidneys cease making urine and the water from urine is sent for
use in the blood. – POSITIVE
2. As a person’s blood sugar lowers, the pancreas releases a chemical called glucagon
to return the blood sugar back to normal. – NEGATIVE
3. Rapid growth during puberty causes the release of more growth hormones. – POSITIVE

4. As a person’s blood sugar rises, the pancreas releases a hormone called insulin to return
the blood sugar back to normal. - NEGATIVE

5. When tissue is damaged, they release chemicals to activate platelets to stop bleeding.
Platelets then release more chemicals to activate even more platelets to help stop
bleeding. – POSITIVE

6. When a baby breastfeeds milk from his/her mother, a nerve in the mother’s nipple sends
a signal to her brain which stimulates the production of more milk. – POSITIVE

7. If calcium in the blood decreases, the parathyroid glands sense the decrease and
secrete a hormone to release calcium from the bones, into the bloodstream. –
NEGATIVE