What is homeostasis?

Homeostasis refers to the ability of an organism to maintain a stable internal environment, despite changes in the external environment. This is crucial for the survival of living organisms, as it ensures that conditions such as temperature, pH, hydration, and nutrient levels remain within a range that is optimal for cellular function and overall health.

For example, humans regulate their body temperature through sweating when hot and shivering when cold, demonstrating how physiological processes work to achieve balance. Homeostasis involves various biological systems and feedback mechanisms, such as the endocrine system and nervous system, that respond to internal and external stimuli to keep the internal conditions stable.

In contrast, the other options focus on different aspects of biology that do not define homeostasis. The ability to reproduce pertains to an organism's capacity to produce offspring, adapting to new environments refers to evolutionary changes that occur over generations rather than immediate physiological regulation, and growth and development describe the processes an organism undergoes as it matures. None of these options captures the essence of maintaining stability in internal conditions, which is the core concept of homeostasis.