Question

What do both the motor neurons and hormones do in this loop?
Responses

They take in sensory information that is sent to the brain.

They take in sensory information that is sent to the brain.

They cause the body to increase the action of a stimulus.

They cause the body to increase the action of a stimulus.

They carry messages that result in a return of the system to its original state.

They carry messages that result in a return of the system to its original state.

They oppose each other’s messages to restore homeostasis.

They oppose each other’s messages to restore homeostasis.
Diagram illustrating how negative feedback regulates digestion. The digestive and nervous systems are illustrated inside a human body. A flowchart with arrows outlines the digestive process. First, food enters the stomach. Receptors detect change and send a message to the control center of the nervous system, which then sends messages to the motor neurons and endocrine system. They in turn send messages to the stomach and glands to stimulate the stomach to play its role. The response is that digestion begins and continues until the stomach is empty.

Answers

GPT-4o mini
In the context of the feedback loop described in your scenario, both motor neurons and hormones serve as vital components in regulating the digestive process. Here's a breakdown of their roles based on the options provided:

1. **Motor neurons and hormones carry messages that result in a return of the system to its original state.**
- In response to the input from receptors (detecting food in the stomach), motor neurons transmit signals to muscles that help in digestion, such as those in the stomach wall, to facilitate movement and mixing of food. Hormones, on the other hand, are released from glands and help regulate various digestive processes, helping to ensure that the body can efficiently break down food and return to a homeostatic state once digestion is complete.

2. **They cause the body to increase the action of a stimulus.**
- Motor neurons might increase muscle contractions to enhance digestion, and hormones (like gastrin) can stimulate digestive enzyme release or increase gastric acid secretion, amplifying the digestive processes.

3. **They oppose each other's messages to restore homeostasis.**
- While motor neurons and hormones may work together to enhance digestion, if there is a need to inhibit digestive processes (like when the stomach is empty or during certain conditions), other hormonal responses may counteract the stimulatory effects of the digestive hormones or motor neuron activity.

From your description, the most relevant answer in the context of the feedback loop for digestion is: **"They carry messages that result in a return of the system to its original state."** This indicates that both motor neurons and hormones play essential roles in regulating digestion and returning the system to homeostasis after the digestive process is completed.