Question

match each term to the feedback loop it describes.
negative feedback loop positive feedback loop
when blood sugar rises in the human body, an organ called the pancreas secretes insulin into the blood, which lowers blood sugar. once blood sugar levels return to normal, the pancreas stops releasing insulin.
during labor, the hormone oxytocin stimulates the mothers uterus to contract. the contractions cause the fetal head to push against the cervix. in response, the cervix stimulates the brain to release more oxytocin. this process repeats until the baby is born.

Explanation:

• Negative feedback loop: In the blood - sugar regulation example, when blood sugar rises, insulin is secreted to lower it. Once normal levels are reached, the response (insulin secretion) stops. This is a classic negative feedback mechanism as it works to reverse the initial change (rising blood sugar) and maintain homeostasis.
• Positive feedback loop: During labor, oxytocin causes contractions. The contractions then stimulate more oxytocin release. This is a positive feedback loop because the initial response (contractions) leads to an amplification of the stimulus (more oxytocin release), which continues until the baby is born.

Answer:

• When blood sugar rises in the human body...: negative feedback loop
• During labor, the hormone oxytocin...: positive feedback loop