What do you mean by feedback mechanism in endocrine system ?
The endocrine glands secrete hormones depending upon the need of the organism. The amount of hormones secreted should be in an accurate amount. The regulation of the quantity of the hormones and the timing of its release are controlled by feedback mechanisms.
There are two types of feedback mechanisms—positive and negative feedback.
Positive feedback: In this mechanism, the response accelerates after the feedback. The effect is further intensified in the same direction. It helps in speeding up the process occurring in various body systems. It is the opposite of negative feedback.
Negative feedback: In this mechanism, the information given by the feedback causes a reverse response. It occurs when the system needs to slow down or completely stop a process.
For example :
1. Child birth
Uterine contractions occur during the onset of labour pain. These contractions stimulate the release of a specific hormone called oxytocin (from the pituitary gland), which intensifies the contractions. The contractions further stimulate the production of oxytocin and this cycle stops only after the birth of the baby.
This is an example of positive feedback.
2. Insulin
When you consume a carbohydrate-rich diet, it is digested into glucose. The glucose is then absorbed by the blood. This results in the increase of blood-sugar level and leads to the stimulation of the pancreas to secrete insulin. Insulin stimulates the target cells to take up the extra glucose from the blood. This glucose is either used during respiration or stored as glycogen. Thus, the level of glucose in the blood is maintained. This is an example of negative feedback.
The endocrine system is composed of several endocrine glands. A ductless gland is called endocrine gland. Endocrine gland secretes its product directly into the bloodstream. Hormones are produced in the endocrine glands. Hormone is mainly composed of protein. Hormones assist the nervous system in control and coordination. Nerves do not reach to every nook and corner of the body and hence hormones are needed to affect control and coordination in those parts. Moreover, unlike nervous control; hormonal control is somewhat slower.
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What do you mean by feedback mechanism in endocrine system ?
The feedback mechanism of hormones is the mechanism through which the balance of hormone in the blood/body is maintained. The increase or decrease in the concentration of that hormone can either stimulate the secretion of that particular hormone or inhibit the hormone secretion. This is called feedback.
There can be two type of feedback. One is called Positive feedback, and other is called negative feedback. The positive feedback stimulates the secretion or production of the hormone. On the counterpart, the negative feedback inhibits the secretion of the hormone.
For Example,
When we eat carbohydrate rich food, the glucose level in the blood increase. As the Blood Glucose level rise, the pancreas will secrete Insulin. This Insulin will signal the cells to take up the blood glucose. Hence The glucose level decrease in the blood. Now, if the insulin is still present in the blood, then more and more glucose will be transported inside the cell, and there would be a scarcity of the glucose in the blood. Hence to prevent this, negative feedback is generated due to low glucose level which would inhibit the insulin secretion in the blood.
What do you mean by feedback mechanism in endocrine system ?
Feedback Mechanism in the Endocrine System
The endocrine system is a complex network of glands that produce and secrete hormones into the bloodstream. These hormones regulate various bodily functions and maintain homeostasis. To ensure the proper functioning of the endocrine system, a feedback mechanism is employed. This feedback mechanism helps to regulate hormone levels and maintain balance within the body.
What is a Feedback Mechanism?
A feedback mechanism is a process in which the output of a system influences its own regulation. In the case of the endocrine system, it involves the monitoring and adjustment of hormone levels to maintain stability in the body. This feedback mechanism can be either positive or negative.
Negative Feedback Mechanism in the Endocrine System
Negative feedback is the most common type of feedback mechanism in the endocrine system. It acts to stabilize hormone levels within a narrow range. Here's how it works:
1. Stimulus: A change in the internal or external environment triggers a hormone release.
2. Endocrine Gland Response: The endocrine gland detects the change and secretes the appropriate hormone into the bloodstream.
3. Target Organ Response: The hormone travels through the bloodstream and reaches the target organ or tissue.
4. Effect on Target Organ: The hormone binds to specific receptors on the target cells, initiating a response.
5. Negative Feedback Loop: As the target organ responds to the hormone, it sends signals back to the endocrine gland to regulate hormone secretion.
6. Hormone Level Regulation: If the hormone level becomes too high, the negative feedback mechanism reduces hormone production. If the hormone level becomes too low, the negative feedback mechanism increases hormone production.
This negative feedback loop ensures that hormone levels remain within the desired range. For example, in the regulation of blood glucose levels, the pancreas releases insulin when blood sugar is high, which stimulates cells to take up glucose. As blood sugar levels decrease, insulin production slows down, preventing hypoglycemia.
Positive Feedback Mechanism in the Endocrine System
While less common, positive feedback mechanisms also exist in the endocrine system. In this case, the response amplifies the original stimulus rather than stabilizing it. An example of positive feedback is the release of oxytocin during childbirth. As contractions occur, oxytocin is released, which further stimulates more contractions until the baby is delivered.
Conclusion
The feedback mechanism in the endocrine system plays a crucial role in maintaining hormonal balance and regulating bodily functions. The negative feedback loop is the primary mechanism by which hormone levels are regulated, ensuring stability within the body. The positive feedback loop is relatively rare but serves specific purposes in certain physiological processes. By tightly controlling hormone levels, the feedback mechanism in the endocrine system contributes to overall homeostasis and optimal functioning of the body.
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