A simplified model for explaining negative feedback to beginners in life sciences.
It may not be easy to present to beginners CO(2) and O(2) having the opposite effect on respiration, using the conventional diagram explaining negative feedback. In the new diagram we developed, the "cause", its facilitating effect on the "result", the facilitating and inhibiting noises on the "result", the current magnitude of the "result", the set-point, their comparison, and feedback effect on the "cause" are all clearly illustrated. For example, the engine RPM is the "cause", increase in speed is the "result", a downhill slope is the facilitating noise, and an uphill slope is the inhibiting noise. By having direction in the "result", such as INCREASE in speed, INCREASE in O(2), and DECREASE in CO(2), the same diagram could be used to present CO(2) and O(2) having the opposite effect on respiration.
Shibuya
Masato
M
Department of Physiology, Kagawa Nutrition Junior College, Tokyo, Japan. mshibuya@eiyo.ac.jp
Oku
Yoshitaka
Y
Homma
Ikuo
I
D001690:Biological Science Disciplines / Q000193:education*; D003196:Computer Graphics; D025461:Feedback, Physiological; D008954:Models, Biological; D012119:Respiration