The Power of Positive Feedback: Amplifying Responses and Moving Systems

Increases a response, making it occur moreKeeps the response coming. Moves the system away from its starting state

The concept we are referring to is known as positive feedback

The concept we are referring to is known as positive feedback. In terms of systems and responses, positive feedback acts to amplify or increase a response, thus making it occur more frequently or intensely. This occurs by reinforcing and encouraging a certain direction or trend in the system.

Positive feedback also plays a role in moving a system away from its initial or starting state. When a change or disturbance occurs in a system, positive feedback amplifies that change, which then leads to further changes in the same direction. This creates a cycle of reinforcement that moves the system further away from its initial state.

Let’s consider an example to understand positive feedback better. A common example is the process of blood clotting. When there is an injury and blood vessels are damaged, the body initiates a series of reactions to form a blood clot and stop the bleeding. One of the critical components in this process is a protein called thrombin.

Thrombin acts as a positive feedback mechanism in blood clotting. Initially, when an injury occurs, a small amount of thrombin is generated. This thrombin activates platelets, which then release more chemicals to generate additional thrombin. As the thrombin level increases, it activates more platelets and also activates other proteins involved in blood clotting, which leads to the generation of even more thrombin. This positive feedback loop continues until a stable blood clot is formed and bleeding is stopped.

In this example, positive feedback amplifies the response of thrombin generation, making it occur more frequently and intensively. It also moves the system away from its initial state (i.e., bleeding) by reinforcing and increasing the formation of a blood clot until a stable clot is achieved.

Overall, positive feedback is an important concept in understanding how systems can amplify and sustain changes or responses. It works by increasing the magnitude or frequency of a response and moving the system away from its initial state.

More Answers: