What type of feedback maintains stability in a system

Figure 4f-3 : Example of the state of a dynamic equilibrium over time. Figure 4f-4 : Example of the state of a static equilibrium over time. Figure 4f-5 : Example of the state of a stable equilibrium over time. Figure 4f-6 : Example of the state of an unstable equilibrium over time. In order for a system to maintain a steady state or average condition the system must possess the capacity for self-regulation.

Self-regulation in many systems is controlled by negative feedback and positive feedback mechanisms. Negative-feedback mechanisms control the state of the system by dampening or reducing the size of the system's elements or attributes. Positive-feedback mechanisms feed or increase the size of one or more of the system's elements or attributes over time. Interactions among living organisms, or between organisms and the abiotic environment typically involve both positive feedback and negative feedback responses.

Feedback occurs when an organism's system state depends not only on some original stimulus but also on the results of its previous system state. Feedback can also involve the system state of non-living components in an ecosystem. A positive feedback causes a self-sustained change that increases the state of a system.

Negative feedback causes the system to decease its state over time. The presence of both negative and positive feedback mechanisms in a system results in self-regulation.

To illustrate how these mechanisms work we can hypothetically examine the changes in aphid population growth in a mid-latitude climate in the following graphical models. Figure 4f-7 : Group of aphids feeding on the stem of a plant. Over the winter only a few aphids survive the cold winter temperatures and scarcity of food Figure 4f However, warmer temperatures in the spring cause plants to start growing, providing the aphids with food. The continually increasing abundance of food increases the fertility of individual aphids and the aphid population starts to expand exponentially.

This situation is a positive feedback as abundant food resources cause increased reproduction and rapid population growth. Figure 4f-8 : Increase in food abundance causes a positive effect on the size of the aphid population.

Births increase significantly and are much higher than deaths causing the population to expand. By late summer the supply of plants has reached its maximum Figure 4f As a result, the availability of food to the growing aphid population becomes less per individual as time proceeds. Less food means lower egg production and births begin to decline. When births reach the same level as deaths the aphid population stops growing and stabilizes. Q can be used to determine which direction a reaction will shift to reach equilibrium.

When a system has reached equilibrium, no further changes in the reactant and product concentrations occur; the reactions continue to occur, but at equivalent rates. The concept of equilibrium does not imply equal concentrations, though it is possible. All reactions tend towards a state of chemical equilibrium, the point at which both the forward process and the reverse process are taking place at the same rate. Since the forward and reverse rates are equal, the concentrations of the reactants and products are constant at equilibrium.

The forward reaction is the exothermic direction: the formation of NH3 releases heat which is why that is shown as a product. The reverse reaction is the endothermic direction: as NH3 decomposes to N2 and H2, heat is absorbed. If we add a product then the reaction proceeds towards the formation of more reactants. The equilibrium expression written for a reaction written in the reverse direction is the reciprocal of the one for the forward reaction.

Begin typing your search term above and press enter to search. Press ESC to cancel. Skip to content Home Social studies What type of feedback maintains stability in a system another way to think of this question on earth what type of feedback keeps a system functioning properly? Social studies. Ben Davis August 17, What type of feedback maintains stability in a system another way to think of this question on earth what type of feedback keeps a system functioning properly?

What type of feedback maintains stability in a system or keeps a system functioning properly? Which of the following is true of the prime meridian? What type of feedback encourages stability in a system? What type of feedback maintains stability equilibrium in a system? Can a positive feedback system be in equilibrium? What is the relationship between unstable equilibrium and positive feedback? What is steady state equilibrium? Is a system at equilibrium always at steady state?

Is Steady state in equilibrium? Why is steady state not equilibrium? What is non-equilibrium steady state? What is steady state response? What is the primary difference between chemical equilibrium and steady state conditions? Which condition is wrong for thermodynamic equilibrium?

Why can equilibrium only occur in a closed system? What are the 3 factors that alter the position of equilibrium? How do you know if a reaction has reached equilibrium? What happens when a reaction has reached equilibrium? What happens to the forward and reverse rates at equilibrium? What is the difference between a forward and a reverse reaction?

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