Negative feedback loops act to what?

Negative feedback loops act to what?

• A. Increases response
• B. Decreases response and moves toward homeostasis
• C. Moves away from homeostasis
• D. Creates new set point

Answer: (B)

Negative feedback loops dampen a deviation to restore stability. When a parameter sensors detect a change from its set point, a control center triggers effectors that oppose that change. As the parameter returns toward the set point, the stimulus for the effector diminishes, reducing or stopping the response. This mechanism keeps the body near a stable condition, or homeostasis. For example, a rise in body temperature activates sweating and vasodilation to cool the body, and once that temperature is back to normal, these responses taper off. Similarly, after a meal, insulin lowers blood glucose, and as glucose normalizes, insulin release decreases. This is in contrast to positive feedback, which amplifies a change rather than dampening it.

Negative feedback loops dampen a deviation to restore stability. When a parameter sensors detect a change from its set point, a control center triggers effectors that oppose that change. As the parameter returns toward the set point, the stimulus for the effector diminishes, reducing or stopping the response. This mechanism keeps the body near a stable condition, or homeostasis. For example, a rise in body temperature activates sweating and vasodilation to cool the body, and once that temperature is back to normal, these responses taper off. Similarly, after a meal, insulin lowers blood glucose, and as glucose normalizes, insulin release decreases. This is in contrast to positive feedback, which amplifies a change rather than dampening it.