What mechanism of homeostasis counteracts changes in physiological variables?

Negative feedback is the mechanism of homeostasis that counteracts changes in physiological variables. In this process, when a physiological parameter deviates from its set point, the body initiates responses that reverse the direction of change, thereby restoring balance. For example, if body temperature rises above normal, mechanisms such as sweating are activated to cool the body down. Conversely, if body temperature drops, shivering and other processes work to generate heat. This self-regulating system is crucial for maintaining stable internal conditions, despite external fluctuations.

Positive feedback, in contrast, amplifies changes rather than counteracting them; it is often involved in processes that need a definitive outcome, such as childbirth. Adaptive feedback is not a standard term used in physiology regarding homeostasis, and homeostatic feedback doesn’t specifically describe a recognized mechanism in the context of physiological regulation. Therefore, negative feedback is the most accurate choice for describing how the body maintains homeostasis by opposing changes in physiological variables.