What mechanism is associated with reversing a change to maintain homeostasis?

The correct choice is related to a fundamental concept in physiology known as negative feedback. This mechanism plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis within the body. Negative feedback occurs when a deviation from a set point, such as a change in temperature or blood glucose levels, triggers a response that counteracts that change.

For instance, if body temperature rises above the normal range, mechanisms such as increased sweating and blood vessel dilation are activated to cool the body down. Similarly, if blood glucose levels increase after eating, insulin is released to help lower those levels back to a normal range.

This corrective action is essential because it ensures stability within the body's internal environment, allowing organisms to function optimally despite external changes. In contrast, mechanisms such as positive feedback amplify changes rather than reverse them, serving specific functions like enhancing the process of childbirth, but they are not involved in maintaining homeostasis. An effector carries out the response initiated by the integrator, but it is the negative feedback loop that ultimately restores balance.