To understand what it is feedback positive, first we need to review what feedback processes are in general.
In our body, the processes of feedback or feedback are a set of control mechanisms involved in homeostasis, which is the body’s ability to maintain relatively stable internal conditions in the face of external changes.
So, we can say that He feedback Helps an organism to regulate itself try to maintain the state of equilibrium in the face of external perturbations.
All these processes are controlled and performed by the nervous and endocrine systems, where we can differentiate different parts or components:
- The receptor, in charge of capturing the stimulus, both external and internal.
- The central nervous system (CNS), which receives the information, processes it and decides the most appropriate response for it.
- Finally, the effector carries out the response which can be controlled by the muscular system or the endocrine system.
Generally, the systems of feedback or feedback intervene in chemical processes, altering them if necessary. With them, the levels of some hormones, ion concentrations, etc. are regulated.
Let’s dig deeper into that.
negative feedback
About negative feedback an attempt is made to balance certain systems by contrasting or reducing the consequences of certain reactions.
It is the process that we find most frequently and the most important for the control of homeostasis. For example, it participates in the processes related to the regulation of body temperature, causing our temperature to drop when it is cold, and consequently we shiver to generate heat, so that the temperature rises again.
I’m leaving
another example of feedback positive or positive feedback occurs during childbirth. The fetus normally occupies almost all of the space inside the uterus and exerts some pressure on the cervix. This pressure is detected by the brain thanks to the nerves that send information in the form of nerve stimuli. Therefore, the brain decides to produce oxytocin.
This hormone is carried in the blood and is responsible for the uterine contractions that allow the mother to give birth. This positive feedback process is repeated, so that the number of contractions increases each time. and the work develops relatively quickly. Without this process, the stretching of this act could be stressful and harmful, both for the mother and the fetus.
The metabolic process of vitamin D
We have also seen positive findings on vitamin D-related metabolic processes. Vitamin D is absorbed by the microvilli of the small intestine, it is processed in the liver and then in the kidneys to obtain new organic substances through hydroxylations.
These substances, such as calcitriol, improve the absorption of calcium and potassium by this organ. As the reactions of the liver and kidneys have favored or stimulated otherssuch as the absorption of these elements by the bones.
usually, This type of control mechanism is less effective than the feedback or negative feedback, although its role in homeostatic processes is essential.
In short, a good control of homeostasis translates into the balance of all the processes that take place in our body, such as maintaining blood pressure.
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