When a child is sick and has a body temperature exceeding 37Å—C, the body begins to sweat in order to lower the temperature. What is this an example of?

Rationale

When a child is sick and has a body temperature exceeding 37°C, the body begins to sweat in order to lower the temperature; this is an example of a negative feedback loop.

Negative feedback loops are mechanisms that counteract changes in the body by initiating processes that return the system to its set point. In this case, sweating helps to cool the body down when the temperature rises, illustrating the body's attempt to maintain homeostasis.

A (Positive feedback loop) YOUR ANSWER

Positive feedback loops amplify changes rather than counteract them, leading to further deviation from a set point. For example, during childbirth, the release of oxytocin increases contractions, which in turn lead to more oxytocin being released. This is the opposite of the sweating response, which seeks to reduce the temperature rather than increase it.

B (Negative feedback loop) CORRECT

Negative feedback loops work to stabilize a system by reducing the output or effects of a process, thereby maintaining homeostasis. Sweating is a classic example of this, as it directly counteracts the rise in body temperature by promoting heat loss through evaporation, thus restoring the body to its normal temperature.

C (Both) YOUR ANSWER

This choice suggests that both feedback mechanisms are at play. However, in the scenario described, only a negative feedback loop is involved, as the body is actively cooling itself in response to an elevated temperature without any amplifying effects present.

D (None of the above) YOUR ANSWER

This option incorrectly implies that the sweating mechanism is not a feedback loop at all. Since the body’s response to increased temperature through sweating is indeed a recognized physiological feedback process, this choice is inaccurate.

Conclusion

Sweating in response to elevated body temperature is a quintessential example of a negative feedback loop, as it acts to restore the body's temperature to its normal range. Understanding feedback mechanisms is essential in physiology, particularly in maintaining homeostasis during illness or stress. The other options either mischaracterize the process or incorrectly suggest the involvement of multiple feedback types.

When a child is sick and has a body temperature exceeding 37Å—C, the body begins to sweat in order to lower the temperature. What is this an example of?

When a child is sick and has a body temperature exceeding 37°C, the body begins to sweat in order to lower the temperature; this is an example of a negative feedback loop.

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