What type of feedback mechanism reverses the direction of a change in a physiological system?

Negative feedback is the mechanism that reverses the direction of a change in a physiological system. This type of feedback is essential for maintaining homeostasis, which is the stability of physiological conditions in the body. When a deviation from a set point occurs, negative feedback processes detect this change and initiate responses that counteract the deviation.

For example, if the body temperature rises above the normal range, mechanisms such as sweating and increased blood flow to the skin are activated to cool the body down. Conversely, if the temperature drops, shivering and other responses are triggered to generate heat, bringing the temperature back to its set point.

By reversing the change, negative feedback helps to stabilize physiological functions, ensuring that the internal environment remains within the limits necessary for survival and optimal functioning. Positive feedback, on the other hand, amplifies changes, while neutral and regulatory feedback are not standard terms used to describe feedback mechanisms in physiology.