Which of the following is an example of a negative feedback loop?

a A thermostat that controls the heat in your home
b Loss of biodiversity
c Fruit ripening
d Convection currents

1 answer

The correct answer is a) A thermostat that controls the heat in your home.

A negative feedback loop is a process that counteracts changes, helping to maintain equilibrium. In this case, when a thermostat detects that the temperature in a home has fallen below a set point, it activates the heating system to increase the temperature back to the desired level, demonstrating a negative feedback mechanism.

The other options do not represent negative feedback loops:

  • b) Loss of biodiversity typically represents a harmful and unregulated process rather than a feedback loop.
  • c) Fruit ripening often involves positive feedback, as the ripening of one fruit can stimulate the ripening of others.
  • d) Convection currents relate to the movement of fluids and can involve feedback processes but are not specifically a negative feedback loop in the context provided.