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What is negative feedback?
A control system where a change in a condition triggers a response that restores it back to normal.
What are the three parts of a negative feedback system?
Receptor detects change.
Coordination centre (brain, spinal cord, pancreas) processes information.
Effector (muscles/glands) responds to restore conditions.
Give examples of processes controlled by negative feedback.
Body temperature regulation.
Blood glucose concentration.
Water balance (via ADH).
Thyroxine levels.
Why is negative feedback important?
It keeps conditions stable for enzymes and cells to function properly.
What is positive feedback?
A control system where a change triggers a response that amplifies the change instead of reversing it.
Give an example of positive feedback in biology.
During childbirth, oxytocin causes contractions → contractions stimulate more oxytocin release → stronger contractions until birth.
Blood clotting cascade (platelets release chemicals → more platelets activated → clot forms).
What is the main difference between negative and positive feedback?
Negative feedback restores conditions to normal (stabilising).
Positive feedback pushes conditions further away from normal (amplifying).