FEEDBACKMECHANISM

S

MAINTAINING EQUILIBRIUM

Living versus non-living Living organisms have the ability to

sense and respond to changes in environment

The cells of living organisms function best in a constant, balanced internal environment

Organisms must maintain a “steady state” called homeostasis to survive

Cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems must work together to adjust to changing conditions

Cold temperatures: humans respond by shivering to increase body temperature by muscle movement

Hot temperatures: humans may respond by sweating to cool off

MAINTAINING EQUILIBRIUM

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

Have you ever been scolded for not cleaning your room?

Cleaning your room is how you respond to being scolded.

A negative feedback system involves the detection of an undesirable condition and the response to make that condition ideal.

Negative Feedback

+

_

NEGATIVE FEEDBACK

Basic structure:

INPUT DETECTION RESPONSE OUTPUT SHUT OFF

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

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.

Room temp is below the

setpoint

Room temp is above the

setpoint

Room temp increases

Room temp decreases

Set point

is reached

Set point

is reached

THERMOSTAT

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, (-)

KEEPING THE BODY IN BALANCE!

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

The endocrine system is composed of glands that produces chemical messengers called hormones

Hormones are produced in one part of the body and travel to target organs through the bloodstream

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

The brain continuously sends signals to the endocrine glands to secrete and release hormones

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

The hormone travels to its target organ and usually results in the release of another hormone into the bloodstream

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

The hypothalamus then detects the rising hormone levels from the target 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

Glucose intake occurs during digestion of food that is needed for energy expenditure to perform routine physical activities.

The pancreas is the key organ that regulates the glucose levels in body by secreting two hormones, insulin and glucagon.

The liver also helps to store the excess glucose in form of glycogen to be utilized later.

Pancreas

Liver

GLUCOSE AND INSULIN NEGATIVE FEEDBACK LOOP

Increases Glucose Levels

Eating cake

Stimulates β cells of pancreas to secrete insulin

Insulin stimulates the cells to take up

glucose from the blood

Lowers Blood Glucose levels

CYCLE 1(-)

Low Blood Glucose Levels Stimulated Alpha Cells in

Pancreas

Glucagon is released

Glucagon stimulates liver cells to release glucose into the blood

High blood glucose levels and Cycle 1 continues

CYCLE 2 (-)

GLUCOSE AND INSULIN NEGATIVE FEEDBACK LOOP

Two primary Hormones

The opposite actions of these two hormones helps to maintain normal blood sugar levels in the body hence maintain homeostasis of the body.

Insulin Glucagon

Lowers Blood Glucose Levels

Raises Blood Glucose Levels

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.

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.

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- DiureticHormone

ADH acts on Nephron to reabsorb water and decrease blood osmolality (saltiness)

ADH REGULATED WATER CONSERVATION IN KIDNEYS

Excess water in the blood

Stimulates osmoreceptors in hypothalamus to send signals to

the pituitary gland

Pituitary glands secretes low levels of ADH

Less ADH makes the tubules less permeable and less water is reabsorbed

back into the bloodstream (urine is dilute).

Less water in the blood

ADH makes the tubules more permeable and more water is reabsorbed back into the

bloodstream (urine is concentrated).

Stimulates osmoreceptors in hypothalamus to send signals to

the pituitary gland

Pituitary glands secretes high levels of ADH

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.

TEMPERATURE REGULATION OF BODY

Animals that are capable of maintaining their body temperature within a given range are called homeotherms.

Temperature is regulated by negative feedback control.

Thermoreceptors located in hypothalamus detect temperature fluctuations in the body.

TEMPERATURE REGULATION OF THE BODY

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.

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.

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.

OTHER KINDS OF FEEDBACK

Feed-forward

Not technically feedback, but similar.

The system responds in anticipation of a change

Hunger is an example of feed-forward. If you typically eat lunch at noon, your body will begin to make digestive enzymes in anticipation.