Physiological Loops, Homeostasis, and Biological Concepts

Vocabulary flashcards covering positive and negative feedback loops, blood clotting, labor, homeostasis, and foundational biology concepts from the lecture transcript.

Negative Feedback Loop

A physiological mechanism centered on counteracting and reducing the body's response to a stimulus to maintain balance.

Positive Feedback Loop

A physiological mechanism that amplifies the response to a stimulus by adding on to the signal rather than counteracting it.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells located in the bloodstream that help pick up distress calls from damaged cells alongside platelets.

Platelets

Components in the bloodstream that respond to distress calls from damaged cells by sticking to the damaged area and sending additional distress signals to attract more platelets.

Oxytocin

A hormone released by the brain during natural childbirth that causes the uterus to contract, triggering a positive feedback loop that causes the release of even more oxytocin.

Homeostasis

The state of internal body balance that living organisms constantly and continuously attempt to maintain.

Plato

An ancient Greek philosopher credited with early contributions to philosophy and the scientific method.

Sweat Evaporation

A cooling mechanism where the evaporation of produced sweat carries heat away from the body to counteract rising body temperature.