The amount of insulin secreted by the pancreas changes automatically as blood sugar levels rise and fall. What is the general name for the type of mechanism that achieves this self-regulation, and how does it operate in this specific case?
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-26 01:02 · grounding rag
Model Answer
The mechanism is called a feedback mechanism.
In the case of insulin: when blood sugar levels rise, the pancreas secretes more insulin, which causes cells to absorb glucose, lowering blood sugar. As blood sugar falls back to normal, insulin secretion decreases automatically. The output of the system thus regulates its own further production.
Source: Control and Coordination, Chapter 6 — What you have learnt
Explanation
- 1 mark for naming the mechanism: feedback mechanism.
- 1 mark for explaining how it works in context — rising sugar → more insulin → sugar falls → less insulin. Show the self-correcting loop clearly.
- Examiners want the term stated explicitly, not just described. Don't write "negative feedback" unless you can justify it — the textbook simply says "feedback mechanism."
- Keep the example specific to insulin/blood sugar; no need to discuss other hormones.