Tortora, Derrickson: Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, 14th Edition

Negative Feedback Control of Blood Pressure To complete this worksheet, select: Module: Foundations Activity: Animations Title: Negative Feedback Control of Blood Pressure Introduction 1. Explain how high or low blood pressure affects capillary blood flow. A decrease in pressure would decrease pressure in the capillary and therefore reduce flow providing an inadequate amount of blood; high pressure may overstretch the capillary wall and cause bursting. Baroreceptors 2. What is the function of baroreceptors? These structures are receptors that monitor pressure and are located in the aortic arch and carotid arteries. They sense the stretching of the vessel and upon stimulation will send impulses to the regulatory centers in the brain. The Cardiovascular Center & Organ Effect 3. Explain the negative feedback loop between baroreceptors, the cardiovascular (CV) center, and the heart. Address: dropping blood pressure, heart stimulation, and hormonal vessel constriction. How do these all work together to achieve homeostasis? The baroreceptors (sensor), cardiovascular center (control center) and the heart (effector) is part of a negative feedback mechanism controlling blood pressure. A drop in blood pressure is sensed by baroreceptors which send impulses to the the cardiovascular center in the brain. The brain then sends signals to increase heart rate and constrict blood vessels, resulting in an increase in blood pressure. A response that decreases or eliminates the original stimulus is a negative feedback system.