Homeostasis and Negative Feedback - Assignment Example

The rate at which energy is consumed increases due to the increase in activity. When the brain receives signals about this change in the energy demand, a negative feedback mechanism works to regulate it back to regular levels (Kelliher & Media, 2011). Energy creation requires oxygen so the more you run, the more energy is used which causes the breathing rate to increase so that there is enough energy for the cells. This increased demand for oxygen and energy means that the negative feedback loop will increase the blood pressure and breathing rate so that the blood is oxygenated quickly and is delivered to the contracting muscle tissue (Sherwood, 2008).

During exercise, aerobic oxidation of glucose takes place initially which means that the rate of oxygen uptake is enough to meet the oxygen and energy demands. However as we continue to run, anaerobic oxidation starts which causes the breathing rate to increase further and this causes an oxygen deficit and lactic acid buildup (Sherwood, 2008). Once you stop running and rest, your body’s negative feedback loop works to regain stability and remove the Lactic Acid by oxidizing it. This is known as post-exercise oxygen consumption which would explain why Farah was still breathing heavily during the interview. It was because the negative feedback loop was working to ensure an increased amount of oxygen uptake to remove the oxygen deficit and oxidize the Lactic Acid (Sherwood, 2008). Read More