Feedback mechanism

Biochemical pathways consist of networks of individual reactions that have many feedback mechanisms. This makes their study and the elucidation of kinetics of individual reaction steps and their regulation so difficult. Nevertheless, important inroads have already been achieved. Much of this has been done by studying the metabolism of microorganisms in fermentation reactors. 

Control of secretion of anterior pituitary hormones also includes inhibition by hormones produced by target organs. For example, CRH stimulates the anterior pituitary to secrete ACTH, which in turn stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete corticosteroids. Corticosteroids then feed back to inhibit the secretion of ACTH. Feedback mechanisms are important for the control of most hormones. For example, insulin (qv) secretion from the pancreas increases in response to increased blood glucose resulting from ingestion of a meal. Insulin increases tissue uptake and metaboHsm of glucose, which lowers blood glucose and in turn reduces insulin secretion. 

Blood Calcium Ion Level. In normal adults, the blood Ca " level is estabhshed by an equiUbrium between blood Ca " and the more soluble intercrystalline calcium salts of the bone. Additionally, a subtle and intricate feedback mechanism responsive to the Ca " concentration of the blood that involves the less soluble crystalline hydroxyapatite comes into play. The thyroid and parathyroid glands, the fiver, kidney, and intestine also participate in Ca " control. The salient features of this mechanism are summarized in Figure 2 (29—31). 

The metabohtes of vitamin D are usually more toxic than the vitamin because the feedback mechanisms that regulate vitamin D concentrations are circumvented. 25-Hydroxycholecalciferol has a one-hundredfold increase in toxicity over vitamin D when fed to chicks (220) and 1 a,25-dihydroxy vitamin D is several times more toxic than the 25-hydroxy analogue. Vitamin D2 seems to have less toxicity than vitamin D, a circumstance which is beheved to be caused by the more efficient elimination of 25-hydroxy and the 1 a,25-dihydroxy vitamin D2 from the animals. Estimated safe upper dietary levels are given in Table 11. 

In continuous processes where automatic feedback control has been implemented, the feedback mechanism theoretically ensures that product quality is at or near the set point regardless of process disturbances. This, of course, requires that an appropriate manipulated variable has been identified for adjusting tne product quality. However, even under feedback control, there may be daily variations of product quahty because of disturbances or equipment or instrument malfunctions. These occurrences can be analyzed using the concepts of statistical quahty control. 

The responsiveness of a tissue to a hormone depends on the density of receptors within its component cells. The number of receptors is determined by their rate of synthesis and catabolism, which is itself controlled by complex feedback mechanisms involving hormone action. Some chemicals are known to interfere with this regulation. For example, TCDD can act to increase or decrease the expression of the oestrogen receptor. ... 

If an appropriate thermal feedback mechanism is not provided, the reaction occurs at the lower stationary state where the reaction rate may be negligible. The reaction could be extinguished, if the temperature of the feed entering the reactor drops below some critical value due to fouling of the heat exchange surface. 

Most investigators used tubes open only at the end opposite the point of ignition. For tubes with very large aspect ratios (length/diameter), the positive feedback mechanism resulted in a transition to detonation for many fuels, even when the tubes were unobstructed. Introduction of obstacles into tubes reduced considerably the distance required for transition to detonation. 

The channel experiments produced results similar to those from tubes. Introduction of venting (decrease of the degree of confinement) greatly reduces effectiveness of the positive-feedback mechanism. Obstacles appear to enhance the combustion rate considerably. 

Experimental research has shown that a vapor cloud explosion can be described as a process of combustion-driven expansion flow with the turbulent structure of the flow acting as a positive feedback mechanism. Combustion, turbulence, and gas dynamics in this complicated process are closely interrelated. Computational research has explored the theoretical relations among burning speed, flame speed, combustion rates, geometry, and gas dynamics in gas explosions. 

In the overview of experimental research, it was shown that explosive, blastgenerating combustion in gas explosions is caused by intense turbulence which enhances combustion rate. On one hand, turbulence may be generated during a gas explosion by an uncontrolled feedback mechanism. A turbulence-generative environment, in the form of partially confining or obstructing structures, must be present for this mechanism to be triggered. 

What we have learned. Discussion of variances (positive and negative) from plans. Detailed report on PSM pilot test strengths, weaknesses, implications, how the PSM system has been refined based on experience. (Note be prepared to justify any increase in resource requirements or any significant slippage in timetable.) Include discussion of local feedback— mechanisms and content—and acknowledge the contribution and cooperation of facility management and staff. 

Mild increases in tonic dopamine release - as a consequence of the administration of both methylphenidate and amphetamine - could have important impact on subsequent phasic release by feedback mechanisms (lowering the concentration). 

In its assessment of climate change, the IPCC (1990) identified five hydrosphere-related feedback mechanisms in the climate system likely to be activated by increased greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. These feedbacks are briefly described below for more detailed discussion of the climate system, refer to Chapter 17. 

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