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Physiological Feedback Loops

Meaning

Physiological feedback loops are the fundamental regulatory mechanisms within the human body that maintain homeostasis by sensing a change in a regulated variable and initiating a response to counteract or amplify that change. The endocrine system relies heavily on these loops, particularly negative feedback, to precisely control the circulating concentrations of hormones. A classic example is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, where the final hormone product inhibits the release of its upstream stimulators. These loops ensure stability, preventing over- or under-production of essential signaling molecules.