Final answer:
The controller is the element in a control system that processes sensor data and determines outputs to maintain homeostasis, as seen in negative feedback systems involving sensors, control centers, and effectors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The control system element that collects sensor data and determines outputs based on a set of instructions is referred to as the controller. In a negative feedback system, three primary components work together to maintain homeostasis: the sensor (or receptor), the control center, and the effector. The sensor monitors physiological values and sends the data to the control center, which compares the data to a normal range. If necessary, the control center will activate an effector to reverse the situation and bring the value back to the normal range. This is an essential process in the regulation and timing of physiological events.