01
A sensor measures change
Temperature-sensitive nerve cells send information about the skin and core to the brain.
Biology · 25 minutes
A body keeps a moving balance
Heat enters and leaves your body all the time. Predict what a control system must do when exercise or outside temperature pushes the core away from its safe range.
Keep this question in mindHow does a body keep its conditions steady?
01
Notice the problem
Balance is an action, not a pause.
Sensors, a controller, and body responses keep correcting heat gain and loss.
Outside changes. Core stays close.Balance is an action, not a pause.
Sensors, a controller, and body responses keep correcting heat gain and loss.
02
Three things to notice
Look at these three ideas.
Each picture shows one part of the question. You will test the ideas next.
02
A controller compares the result
The hypothalamus compares body temperature with a working range near 37 °C.
03
A response opposes the change
Sweating increases heat loss. Shivering increases heat production. This opposing response is negative feedback.
03
Your prediction
What should happen when feedback is working?
Choose what you think will happen. It is fine to be wrong. The experiment will help you find out.
We save this answer to your Lumen account.