Final answer:
Positive feedback mechanisms amplify changes and move the system further from equilibrium, while negative feedback mechanisms act to dampen changes and maintain homeostasis.
Step-by-step explanation:
In biological systems, positive feedback mechanisms are those where a product of a process leads to an increase in that process. For instance, during childbirth, the release of oxytocin increases contractions, which causes more oxytocin to be released, thus intensifying the process until delivery occurs. On the other hand, negative feedback mechanisms work to maintain homeostasis by reducing the output or activity of any process in response to a change in conditions. For example, when blood sugar levels rise, insulin is released to lower the sugar level, and as the levels fall, the release of insulin decreases.
Comparing the control mechanisms referenced in model 3 with those in models 1 and 2, positive controls tend to drive systems further in one direction, escalating the response, whereas negative controls regulate the system to remain within a desired range, often inhibiting a response to dampen the change. In the scenario of a biological system like the endocrine system, an excess of a hormone would typically trigger a negative feedback loop to reduce hormone production, thereby maintaining balance.