What is a feedback mechanism?
A feedback mechanism is a physiological regulation system in a living body that works to return the body to its normal internal state, or commonly known as homeostasis. In nature, feedback mechanisms can be found in a variety of environments and animal types. Feedback occurs when outputs of a system are routed back as inputs as part of a chain of cause-and-effect that forms a circuit or loop. The system can then be said to feed back into itself.
Examples:
- Menstrual cycle. At the beginning of the menstrual cycle, the ovaries release the hormone estrogen. The estrogen acts as a stimulus for the positive feedback loop. ...
- Childbirth. Figure: Normal childbirth is driven by a positive feedback loop.