Negative feedback is widely used in mechanical and electronic engineering, and also within living organisms, and can be seen in many other fields from chemistry and economics to physical systems such as the climate. General negative feedback systems are studied in control systems engineering.
What is the use of negative feedback?
Negative feedback opposes or subtracts from the input signals giving it many advantages in the design and stabilisation of control systems. For example, if the systems output changes for any reason, then negative feedback affects the input in such a way as to counteract the change.
What are some examples of negative feedback?
Examples of processes that utilise negative feedback loops include homeostatic systems, such as:
- Thermoregulation (if body temperature changes, mechanisms are induced to restore normal levels)
- Blood sugar regulation (insulin lowers blood glucose when levels are high ; glucagon raises blood glucose when levels are low)
