Feedback Loop Investigation & Presentation

Your task is to become an expert on the assigned feedback loop. You will research how this loop works within its system. You must explain the process using specific scientific terms. Afterward, you will prepare a clear and concise presentation (like a mini-poster, a flowchart, a labelled diagram, or a short digital presentation) to teach your classmates about this loop.

Key Vocabulary You MUST Use:

To accurately describe your feedback loop, you need to identify and explain the role of each of the following components:

1. Stimulus: The change or event that triggers the feedback loop.

2. Sensor (or Receptor): The part of the system that detects the stimulus.

3. Control Center (or Integrator): The part that receives information from the sensor, compares it to a set point (the normal value), and decides on a response.

4. Effector: The part of the system (like a muscle, gland, or organ) that carries out the response determined by the control center.

5. Effect (or Response): The action taken by the effector, which influences the original stimulus.

Research & Explanation Prompts:

Use reliable sources (textbook, provided materials, approved science websites, AI of choice (be sure to check reliability)) to answer the following questions about your specific assigned feedback loop. Write down your answers clearly as you will use this information for your presentation.

1. Introduction: Briefly describe the overall purpose of this feedback loop. What system is it maintaining or changing? What is the 'normal' state?

2. The Trigger (Stimulus):

• What specific change from the 'normal' state acts as the stimulus that starts this loop? Be precise. (e.g., Is it temperature rising or falling? Is blood sugar too high or too low?)

3. Detection (Sensor):

• What specific structure, cell type, or organ acts as the sensor that detects this stimulus?

• How does it detect the change?

4. Decision Making (Control Center):

• Where is the information from the sensor sent? What part acts as the control center? (e.g., a part of the brain, a specific gland).

• What does the control center do with this information? (e.g., compares it to a set point).

5. Taking Action (Effector):

• What specific organ, tissue, or cell type acts as the effector that receives instructions from the control center?

6. The Result (Effect):

• What specific action does the effector take? This is the effect (or response).

7. Closing the Loop (Feedback):

• How does the effect change the original stimulus? Does it reduce/cancel the stimulus, or does it increase/amplify it?

• Based on your answer above, is this a negative feedback loop or a positive feedback loop? Explain why.

8. Significance: Why is this feedback loop important for the organism or ecosystem? What could happen if it didn't function correctly?

Presentation Preparation:

Organize your researched information logically. Create a visual aid (diagram, flowchart, poster, Tick-Tock style video) that clearly shows:

• The sequence of events in the loop.

• Each key component (Stimulus, Sensor, Control, Effector, Effect) clearly labelled and its role briefly described.

• Whether it's a positive or negative feedback loop.

Be prepared to explain your feedback loop to your classmates using your visual aid and the correct vocabulary.