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Thyroxine and negative feedback

Animal coordination, control and homeostasis · Hormones and the endocrine system · note 3 of 3

Thyroxine and negative feedbackSpec 7.3

Thyroxine is made by the thyroid gland. It controls metabolic rate, which is the rate of the chemical reactions in the body. Its level is kept steady by negative feedback.

Negative feedback
A change in a level causes a response that reverses the change and brings the level back to normal.
  1. A low level of thyroxine stimulates the hypothalamus to produce TRH.
  2. TRH causes the pituitary gland to release TSH.
  3. TSH acts on the thyroid gland to produce thyroxine.
  4. The thyroxine level rises back to normal.
  5. When the thyroxine level is normal, thyroxine inhibits the release of TRH and the production of TSH. This stops the level rising too far.
Flow diagram: a low thyroxine level stimulates the hypothalamus to release TRH, TRH acts on the pituitary gland to release TSH, TSH acts on the thyroid gland to make thyroxine, and dashed arrows show the normal thyroxine level inhibiting TRH release and TSH production.Tap to enlarge
Thyroxine is controlled by negative feedback: when its level is back to normal it inhibits TRH and TSH.

Quick check

  1. How are hormones transported from endocrine glands to target organs?

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    In the blood (plasma).

  2. Which gland produces insulin?

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    The pancreas.

  3. Name the four effects of adrenalin. (Higher)

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    Increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, increased blood flow to the muscles, and raised blood sugar level.

  4. Which hormone does the pituitary release to make the thyroid produce thyroxine? (Higher)

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    TSH.

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