Which type of regulation amplifies changes and takes the organism away from a steady state?

Positive feedback is a type of regulation that amplifies changes and drives the organism away from a steady state. This mechanism works by enhancing or accelerating a process in response to a stimulus. For example, during childbirth, the hormone oxytocin is released, which intensifies the contractions of the uterus and, in turn, stimulates further oxytocin release. This cycle continues until the birth process is completed, illustrating how positive feedback moves a system away from its normal equilibrium.

In contrast, negative feedback serves to reduce or counteract changes, maintaining homeostasis by stabilizing the system. Homeostatic regulation is a broader term that includes various mechanisms that work to keep internal conditions stable despite external changes. Dynamic regulation refers to more complex interactions that can include both positive and negative feedback but doesn’t specifically denote the amplifying aspect inherent in positive feedback. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for grasping how different regulatory mechanisms function within biological systems.