Homeostasis is the process of organisms maintaining internal conditions at a constant value. Homeostasis is important to help an organism function at optimal levels all the time. Homeostatic mechanisms work by controlling the composition of blood, which controls the composition of tissue fluid. Examples of homeostasis include:
The negative feedback loop is a mechanism that is part of homeostasis. It works by returning conditions back to their normal parameters. It involves a receptor that is triggered when the body has too much of something.
Receptor: a cell or tissue that is sensitive to a specific stimulus and communicates with a control centre by generating nerve impulses or sending a chemical messenger
Effector: a tissue or organ that carries out an action in response to a stimulus; muscles and glands are common effectors
Stimulus: any change(s) in a factor that triggers a receptor
The receptors send signals as triggered by a stimulus through the nervous system to the spinal cord and/or brain. This is known as the input. The output is the chemical message generated from the information from the receptor that is given and carried out by the effector.
The most common negative feedback loops are corrective actions. They bring factors back to their set point.
Homeostasis in mammals works between different body parts. This includes body parts, the nervous system, and the endocrine system.
Negative feedback is the only process in homeostasis that allows parameters to maintain their set point (with minor fluctuations). Positive feedback only increases a parameter in the direction of its change and thus, does not help keep body conditions constant.