A negative feedback loop is a process in which a system self-regulates to maintain stability. When a change occurs, the system responds in a way that counteracts that change, helping to return to its original state. For example, in the human body, when body temperature rises, mechanisms like sweating are activated to cool it down. This concept is commonly found in various systems, including ecosystems and mechanical systems. In an ecosystem, if a predator population increases, the prey population may decrease, which in turn can lead to a decline in the predator population, restoring balance.