How do organisms regulate complex systems through chemical interactions?

Example:

The heating system of a house works to keep the temperature constant. If the house gets too cold, then the heat
automatically turns on to warm the house. The heat stops when the preset temperature is reached. This is an example
of a feedback mechanism. Organisms use many feedback mechanisms to either maintain or amplify important
chemical systems. This could happen at a molecular level to coordinate the function of a single enzyme or it could
happen throughout the body to regulate the organism’s internal temperature.

Biological systems operate on a mechanism of inputs and outputs, each caused by and causing a certain event.
A feedback loop is a biological occurrence wherein the output of a system amplifies the system (positive
feedback) or inhibits the system (negative feedback).

Place these words in the diagram: Stimulus, response , increase, decrease.

Decreased increased
1. What is the definition of a stimulus?
A thing that evokes change in the body or systems. 
2. What is the definition of a response?
- A action to the commands of the control center which got signals.
3. What is the definition of a signal?
-A signal is a action that is used to convey information, in this case to another part of the body.
4. Why are feedback loops important?
-Because it allows the body to maintain homeostasis
 1. What portion of the brain contains sensors that monitor body temperature?
Hypothalamus
2. What are two mechanisms the body uses to cool itself?
Blood vessel dilatation, and evaporative cooling.
3. What are two mechanisms the body uses to heat itself?
Blood vessel contraction and shivering of muscles
Consider the feedback loop that cools the body when it is too warm.

4. Identify the “stimulus” and “response” in the feedback loop.

-the stimulus is the body is too hot, the response is evaporative cooling and blood vessel dialation.
5. Is this feedback loop positive or negative feedback? Justify your reasoning.
-it is negative because it is decreasing the stimulus as it brings body temperature back to normal.
Consider the feedback loop that heats the body when it is too cold.

1. Identify the “stimulus” and “response” in the feedback loop.

The stimulus is that the body temperature is too cold, the response is shivering and blood vessel
constriction.
- Is this feedback loop positive or negative feedback? Justify your reasoning.
-it is negative because it is decreasing the stimulus as it brings body temperature back to normal.

On a poster, pick and illustrate 4 topics :

a. Research the mechanism to determine the stimulus and the response.

 b. Diagram the feedback loop(s) involved. Positive or Negative.
c. Be prepared to present your findings to the rest of the class.
d. What would happen is these feedback loops would not occur?

Receptor—a sensory organ

Stimulus—an action that creates a response
Effector—An organ that acts as a response
Response—action or event

Smooth Muscles such as

blood vessels are effectors

The response is vessel dilatation to the

kidneys and increased flow to the
(Stimulus: decreased levels
nephrons.
of stress)

Receptor: Adrenal
Medulla sends signals.

The response is vessel constriction to the

(Stimulus increased levels of kidneys and decreased flow to the
stress) nephrons.

Smooth Muscles such as blood

vessels are effectors