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The human body is only capable of withstanding small degrees of internal changes. Negative feedback systems fight against external conditions that threaten the body's internal function.
Homeostasis
In order to understand negative feedback, one must first understand homeostasis. Homeostasis is the principle that the state of certain bodily conditions--such as temperature, blood pressure, glucose levels and respiration rate--must remain constant for health and survival.
Negative Feedback Function
Negative feedback systems prompt the body to alter its function to compensate for an external threat. For example, if the temperature drops, blood begins to flow away from the extremities and into the body's core in an effort to counteract heat loss.
Receptors
The negative feedback process begins with receptors. Receptors monitor internal conditions like blood pressure and metabolism, and sound the alarm when changes occur.
Control Center
Receptors send information about internal changes to a control center, which, for most bodily functions, is the brain. The brain sends messages to the nerves, prompting them to make the necessary corrections.
Effectors
Effectors are the agents that carry out the orders passed along from the brain by the nerves. Effectors include muscles, organs, skin and vascular structures.
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