An effect amplifies its own cause, as in labour contractions and the LH surge.
Examples: oxytocin during labour, LH surge triggered by oestrogen, blood clotting cascade, and action potential upstroke. It drives processes to completion and requires a terminating event.
Positive feedback increases deviation and drives events to completion. Examples are rare in physiology. It needs a stopping mechanism.
Key idea: labour, LH surge and clotting are positive feedback examples.
An effect amplifies its own cause, as in labour contractions and the LH surge.
Positive Feedback is one of the 54 topics in Reproduction & Endocrinology. It is rated Intermediate, so it suits learners who already know the core vocabulary. Related topics in this area include Parturition, Lactation, Hormonal Control of the Menstrual Cycle.
Milk let-down also uses oxytocin positive feedback.
Work through the Beginner topics in Reproduction & Endocrinology first, such as Reproduction, Asexual Reproduction, Sexual Reproduction, then return to Positive Feedback. Intermediate topics assume the Beginner vocabulary.
The closest topics to Positive Feedback are Parturition, Lactation, Hormonal Control of the Menstrual Cycle, Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Positive Feedback. To practise the whole of Reproduction & Endocrinology, use the Reproduction & Endocrinology quiz.
Positive Feedback: An effect amplifies its own cause, as in labour contractions and the LH surge. Parturition: Positive feedback between oxytocin and uterine contractions drives childbirth. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Parturition and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Reproduction & Endocrinology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
Positive feedback between oxytocin and uterine contractions drives childbirth.
🌸 Reproduction & EndocrinologyProlactin stimulates milk production and oxytocin triggers milk let-down.
🌸 Reproduction & EndocrinologyFSH, LH, oestrogen and progesterone interact in feedback loops to time ovulation and menstruation.
🌸 Reproduction & EndocrinologyThe hypothalamus controls the anterior pituitary, which signals target glands through trophic hormones.
🌸 Reproduction & Endocrinology