This study notes covers Negative Feedback within Temperature Regulation for GCSE Biology. Topic 5: Temperature Regulation It is section 3 of 12 in this topic. Use this study notes to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 3 of 12
Practice
15 questions
Recall
20 flashcards
Negative Feedback
Most homeostatic systems work by negative feedback:
- Receptor detects a change (stimulus)
- Information sent to coordination centre (brain, spinal cord, pancreas)
- Effector (muscle or gland) produces a response
- Response counteracts the original change
- Levels return to normal
It's called "negative" because the response is OPPOSITE to the change!
The Central Heating Analogy
Negative feedback works like your home thermostat. Set it to 20°C. If the room gets too cold, the heating turns ON. If it gets too hot, the heating turns OFF. The response always OPPOSES the change to bring things back to normal!