What is the term for regulation in which the product of a process inhibits that process?

The term for regulation in which the product of a process inhibits that process is feedback regulation. This concept is fundamental in various biological pathways, as it allows organisms to maintain balance and ensure that processes do not continue unchecked. Feedback regulation helps to prevent the overproduction of substances, thus conserving resources and preventing potential toxicity.

In practical terms, when a certain product accumulates to a specific concentration, it can bind to an enzyme or receptor involved in its own synthesis or in the pathway that produces it, thereby slowing down or halting that pathway. This ensures that metabolic processes are finely tuned and that the levels of products remain within a necessary range for optimal functioning.

Other terms in the choices provided have distinct meanings. Immediate feedback does not accurately encompass the broader concept of regulating processes over time. Homeostasis refers to the overall stability and balance of physiological systems within an organism, rather than specifically addressing the inhibition of a process by its product. Control mechanism is a more general term that can refer to any system that manages or directs activity but does not specifically denote the inhibitory feedback characteristic of feedback regulation. Thus, feedback regulation is the most accurate term for this specific type of regulatory mechanism.