It does not have to do with food…

But, you have some in your body

What is Feedback?

Feedback is the process

in which part of the
output of a system is
returned to its input in
order to regulate its
further output.
 Negative Feedback
 Negative feedback occurs when the
output of a system acts to oppose
changes to the input of the system.

 A thermostat is an example of a negative

feedback system.
 Room temp Set point
increases
is reached

Room temp is Room temp is

below the above the
setpoint setpoint

Set point Room temp

is reached decreases

A thermostat is a device for regulating the temperature of a system so that

the system's temperature is maintained near a desired setpoint
temperature.
 Negative Feedback in Biology
 Negative feedback also
regulates many systems in
organisms.
 The endocrine system is one
example.
 This diagram shows a
negative feedback loop for
stress hormones.
 Areas of negative feedback
are indicated with a minus
sign, (-).
 Endocrine System
The endocrine system is
composed of glands that
produces chemical
messengers called hormones.

 Hormones are produced in

one part of the body and
travel to target organs
through the bloodstream.
 Endocrine system

 Glands of the endocrine

system include:
 Pituitary gland
 Thyroid Gland
 Parathyroid glands
 Thymus
 Adrenal glands
 Pancreas
 Ovary and Testis
 Endocrine System
 The brain continuously sends signals
to the endocrine glands to secrete and
release hormones and the glands, in
turn, send feedback to the nervous
system.

 The hypothalamus in the brain

is the master switch that
sends signals to the pituitary
gland which can release up to eight
hormones into the bloodstream.

 The hormone travels to its target organ

and usually results in the release of
another hormone into the bloodstream.
 Endocrine System

 The hypothalamus then detects the rising hormone

levels from the target organ and decreases the
release of hormones from the pituitary which results
in a decrease in hormone release from the target
organ.

 The process of maintaining normal body function

through negative feedback mechanisms is called
homeostasis.
 Glucose and Insulin
Pancreas
 Glucose intake occurs during
digestion of food that is needed
for energy expenditure to perform
routine physical activities.
 The pancreas is the key organ that
regulates the glucose levels in Liver
body by secreting two hormones,
insulin and glucagon.
 The liver also helps to store the
excess glucose in form of glycogen
to be utilized later.
 Glucose and Insulin Negative Feedback
Loop
Boy eating cake

Increases
Glucose
Levels

(-) Stimulates β cells of

CYCLE 1
Lowers Blood pancreas to secrete insulin
Glucose levels

Insulin stimulates the

cells to take up glucose
from the blood.
CYCLE 2

Low Blood Glucose

Levels

(-)

Stimulated Alpha Cells in

High blood glucose levels Pancreas
and Cycle 1 continues

Glucagon is released
Glucagon stimulates liver cells to
release glucose into the blood
 Glucose and Insulin Negative Feedback
Loop
 Two primary Hormones
Insulin Glucagon

Lowers Blood Glucose Raises Blood Glucose

Levels Levels

The opposite actions of these two hormones, insulin and

glucagon, helps to maintain normal blood sugar levels in
the body hence maintain homeostasis of the body.
 Take a Break and Chat With Your
Neighbor!
 Turn to the person behind or in front of you and
discuss the following topics:
 What is a feedback and an example of a negative
AND positive system?
 What is the endocrine system and why is it
important?
 Define homeostasis and how normal body
function is maintained with feedback
mechanisms.
Kidneys and Water Regulation
 The kidneys play a key role in maintaining
water regulation.
Renal Cortex

Renal Medulla
Kidney and Water Regulation

 The nephron is the

most important
functional part of the
kidney.
 It filters nutrients like
salts and amino acids
in the Bowman’s
capsule into
ascending loop and
filters the urine.
 Kidney and Water Regulation
Anti-Diuretic Hormone, ADH (also called vasopressin), is
secreted by the pituitary gland and acts on the nephron
to conserve water and regulate the tonicity of body fluids.

Anti-
Diuretic
Hormone

ADH acts on Nephron to

reabsorb water and decrease
blood osmolality (saltiness)
 ADH regulated water conservation in
kidneys Excess water
Less water in the
blood in the blood

Stimulates osmoreceptors in Stimulates osmoreceptors in

hypothalamus to send signals to hypothalamus to send signals to
the pituitary gland the pituitary gland

Pituitary glands secretes Pituitary glands secretes

high levels of ADH low levels of ADH

Less ADH makes the tubules less

ADH makes the tubules more permeable
permeable and less water is reabsorbed
and more water is reabsorbed back into the
back into the bloodstream (urine is
bloodstream (urine is concentrated).
dilute).
 ADH regulated water conservation in
kidneys
 Osmoregulators send negative feedback to the
hypothalamus about the concentration of water in the
bloodstream.
 The hypothalamus then stimulates the pituitary
glands to secrete high or low concentrations of anti-
diuretic hormone.
 ADH then makes the tubules more or less permeable
and hence, maintains water and electrolyte
homeostasis.
 Temperature regulation of Body

 Animals that are capable of maintaining their bogy

temperature within a given range are called
homeotherms.

 Temperature is regulated by negative feedback control.

 Thermoreceptors located in hypothalamus detect

temperature fluctuations in the body.
 Temperature Regulation of the Body

 Increased temperature causes

vasodilatation (blood vessels near
the surface of the skin dilate).
 The large surface area allows heat
to be lost from the blood and
lowers the body temperature.

 Sweating also helps lower the temperature.

 Decreased temperature causes vasoconstriction (blood vessels
constrict) and minimal heat loss occurs which helps maintain
body temperature.
 Hair on the body provides insulation and helps maintain body
temperature.
 Positive Feedback
 A positive feedback loop occurs when the output of a
system acts to enhance the changes to the input of the
system.

 One example of a biological positive feedback loop is

the onset of contractions in childbirth.

 When a contraction occurs, the hormone oxytocin is

released into the body, which stimulates further
contractions.

 This results in contractions increasing in amplitude

and frequency.
 Positive Feedback
 Another example is blood clotting.
 The loop is initiated when injured tissue releases

signal chemicals that activate platelets in the

blood.
 An activated platelet releases chemicals to activate

more platelets, causing a rapid cascade and the

formation of a blood clot.

 Lactation involves positive feedback so that the more

the baby suckles, the more milk is produced.
 Positive Feedback
 In most cases, once the purpose of the feedback loop is
completed, counter-signals are released that suppress or
break the loop.

 Childbirth contractions stop when the baby is out of

the mother's body.

 Chemicals break down the blood clot.

 Lactation stops when the baby no longer nurses.

 Take a Break and Chat With Your
Neighbor!
 Turn to the person behind or in front of you and
discuss the following topics:
 What are the roles of the kidneys in the body?
 How do the kidneys compare or contrast to the
feedback systems in the endocrine system?
 How does the body regulate temperature?
 Define and give examples of a positive feedback
system in the body.