2. Throughout the semester we have discussed several developmental biology THEME

Question

2. Throughout the semester we have discussed several developmental biology THEMES which have included concentration gradients, time, location/induction, inhibition of an inhibition, negative and positive feedback loops, etc. just to name a few. Pick ONE of your favorite themes from the semester and using three different developmental stages/processes provide three detailed examples of this ONE theme (if possible to do these three stages/processes in one model organism please do so, but if choose to use more than one organism for your examples that is fine)

Explanation / Answer

Theme: Feedback loop inhibition in biological systems

Description: Most of the biological processes are controlled by feedback loop mechanisms. In this regard, negative feedback loop inhibition remains the majorly utilized mechanism to control a biological process. A feedback mechanism refers to regulation of a process by the end product of the process in a way that the product itself regulates the rate of its synthesis either in a positive or negative manner. Thus, feedback mechanisms can be either positive or negative in nature.

Most of the biological processes are regulated by negative feedback loop inhibition in which the synthesis of the end product prevents the biological process to further enhance its synthess. For example, secretion of all enzymes is regulated by a negative feedback loop inhibition.

On the contrary, there are only a few biological mechanisms which are controlled by positive feedback mechanism. A positive feedback mechanism function to further enhance the biological process which actually leads to synthesis of the end product. For example, secretion of milk from mammary glands is regulated by hormone oxytocin. Suckling of milk by the infant further enhances the oxytocin secretion from the body thus further enhances milk secretion from the mammary glands.

Thus, this explains the importance of feedback mechanism in biological context.

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