Feedback Mechanism-Negative feedback and

Positive feedback
Feedback Mechanism: It is the general mechanism of nervous or hormonal control and
regulation in Human.

Feedback system consists of a cycle of events in which information about a change is fed back
into the system so that the regulator (brain)  can control the process.

Negative feed-back mechanism

 The receptors (sensory cells) present on the body of vertebrates constantly monitors the
reference point of internal environment. Any changes in the internal environment can
activates the receptor cells, which relay messages to the control center (Brain or spinal
cord). The control center determines the deviation and activates the effectors. Effectors
are generally muscles or glands. The effectors respond to the stimulus and corrects the
reference point either by increasing or decreasing the activities. As soon as the system is
corrected, the control center and effectors are turned off by the mechanism called
Negative feed-back.
 In negative feed-back mechanism, changes occurring in the system automatically
activates the corrective mechanism, which reverse the changes and bring back the system
to the normal. The principle of thermostat is analog to the Negative feed-back
mechanism. In thermostat, when the temperature exceeds the normal ranges, the receptor
detects the changes and signals the control center of thermostat to turn off the heating
plate, allowing the thermostat to cool down. When the thermostat cool down below the
set point, it turn ON the heating plates, so the temperature starts rise again.

The mechanism of Negative feed-back in biological system can be illustrated with the example
given below.

Negative feed-back mechanism of thyroid gland

 Lower concentration of thyroxine hormone in blood alters the cellular activities ie.
Decrease in basic metabolic rates or temperature. Decreases in BMR stimulates
neurosecretory cells of hypothalamus to secrete thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH). 
The releasing of TRH causes anterior pituitary gland to secrete thyroid stimulating
hormone (TSH). This TSH then stimulates the thyroid gland to release thyroxine.
Thyroxin causes an increase in the metabolic activity, generating ATP energy and heat
and eventually restore homeostasis. Both the raised body temperature and higher
thyroxine levels in the body feed-back to inhibit the releasing of TRH and TSH.

 
 Figure: Regulation of Thyroxine hormone; an example of Negative feedback mechanism

 Most human system achieve homeostasis by Negative feed-back mechanism. Body

temperature, blood glucose level, Blood PH, Blood pressure, Hormone level, Oxygen and
Carbon-dioxide level, water and electrolyte balance etc are all controlled by negative
feed-back.

Positive feed-back mechanism

 Positive feedback mechanism causes destabilizing effects in the body, so does not results
in homeostasis. It is mainly responsible for amplification of the changes caused by the
stimulus.
 Positive feedback is relatively less common than negative feedback, since it leads to
unstable condition and extreme state. Most positive feedback mechanisms are harmful
and in some cases resulting in death. For example, if a person breathes air that has very
high carbon dioxide content. The amount of oxygen in blood decreases while the
concentration of carbon-dioxide in blood increases. This is sensed by carbon dioxide
receptors, which cause the breathing rate to increase. So the person breathes faster, taking
in more carbon dioxide, which stimulates the receptors even more, so they breathe faster
and faster which ultimately results in death.
 In some cases, the positive feed-back is very useful. Such as during blood clotting, fever,
child birth, breast feeding etc. Positive feedback also plays a role in the contractions of
the uterus during child birth. The contraction of uterine wall is caused by oxytocin
hormone. In this case, stretching of the uterus by the fetus stimulates oxytocin release
which results in contraction of uterus, and contraction causes further stretching and
release of oxytocin; the cycle continues until the fetus is expelled from the uterus.

Figure: Regulation of oxytocin hormone; an example of positive feedback mechanism