Section: STEM · BiologyDifficulty: Medium
Homeostasis
USUK
The ability of an organism to maintain a stable internal environment.
Definition
Homeostasis is the tendency of biological systems to maintain relatively stable internal conditions, such as temperature, pH, blood glucose concentration, and ion balance, despite external changes. It is achieved through feedback mechanisms: negative feedback loops counteract deviations from a set point, while positive feedback amplifies a change toward completion. Homeostasis is fundamental to the survival of all living organisms.
Example
“When your body temperature rises during fever or exercise, sweat glands activate and blood vessels near the skin dilate to dissipate heat, returning your temperature toward the normal 37 degrees Celsius set point.”
Synonyms
- biological equilibrium
- internal stability
- physiological balance
Antonyms / Opposites
- disequilibrium
- imbalance
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Related Terms
- Negative Feedback
- Thermoregulation
- Endocrine System
- Osmoregulation