Blood Pressure Is Carefully Regulated by a Negative Feedback Control

Essay

Blood pressure is carefully regulated by a negative feedback control system in the body. When the blood pressure falls below a set point, this decreased pressure is detected by baroreceptors (pressure receptors) in the aorta and carotid arteries. These receptors send signals to a region of the brain known as the medulla oblongata. This region of the brain integrates incoming signals and sends signals to the heart to increase the strength of contractions and to the blood vessels, to constrict arterioles so as to increase the blood pressure, returning it to normal. Based on this information, identify each of the parts of this control system:
a) controlled variable
b) sensor
c) control center
d) effector(s)