Final answer:
Negative feedback in the endocrine system helps maintain homeostasis by adjusting hormone levels. High blood glucose triggers insulin release to lower it, and low levels trigger glucagon to increase it. Similarly, excessive thyroid hormones inhibit further release via feedback to the brain.
Step-by-step explanation:
Negative feedback is a key regulatory mechanism in the endocrine system that helps maintain homeostasis by controlling hormone levels. An example of this is the regulation of blood glucose levels. When glucose levels rise, the pancreas releases insulin, which helps to lower blood glucose. Conversely, when glucose levels are low, the pancreas produces glucagon, which causes glucose levels to increase. This ensures that blood glucose remains within a narrow, healthy range.
Another well-understood example of negative feedback involves the thyroid gland. When thyroid hormone levels are high, they provide feedback to the brain, specifically to the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary gland, to reduce the release of the hormones TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) and TRH (thyrotropin-releasing hormone), which in turn decreases production of thyroid hormones, thereby maintaining balance.