Homeostasis and Feedback Loops Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards defining key concepts, variables, and components related to homeostasis and feedback loops based on the lecture transcript.

Homeostasis

The process of keeping the body's internal conditions stable, resulting in a state of balance where conditions remain relatively stable even though changes and adjustments are continuously occurring.

Variables

Factors that can change or vary, such as body temperature, blood glucose, blood pressure, and pH in humans.

Range

An interval of numbers between two numbers in the set.

Feedback Loop

The body's communication cycle used to detect and respond to changes.

Stimulus

The first step in a feedback loop where something changes (such as getting too hot or too cold).

Receptor

The component in a feedback loop that detects a change.

Control Center

The component in a feedback loop (the brain) that decides what action to take in response to a change.

Effector

The component in a feedback loop (muscles, glands, or organs) that carries out the fix.

Response

The final stage of a feedback loop where the body returns to normal.

Negative Feedback Loops

Self-correcting mechanisms where the body reverses or counteracts a change to bring conditions back to balance.

Positive Feedback Loops

Amplifying mechanisms where the body increases or amplifies a change instead of stopping it.