Anatomy Practice Exam

Which term describes the mechanism where an output reduces the effect of the original stimulus?

1. Positive feedback

2. Negative feedback

3. Homeostasis

4. Adaptive response

The correct answer is: Negative feedback

The term that describes the mechanism where an output reduces the effect of the original stimulus is negative feedback. This process works by detecting changes in a system and initiating responses that counteract those changes, ultimately promoting stability. For example, in the regulation of body temperature, if the temperature rises, mechanisms such as sweating are activated to cool the body down. Conversely, if the temperature drops, shivering occurs to generate heat. Negative feedback is essential for maintaining homeostasis, which is the body's tendency to maintain stable internal conditions despite external changes. Understanding negative feedback is crucial in various physiological processes, as it serves to maintain equilibrium and prevent extreme deviations that could be harmful. It differs from positive feedback, where an output enhances or accelerates the original stimulus, and adaptive responses, which refer to adjustments the body makes over time to better cope with environmental changes. Homeostasis encompasses the overall balance maintained within the body, but negative feedback is specifically the mechanism that facilitates this balance through counteractive measures.