Defining Homeostasis

Homeostasis is the ability of the body to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes. It involves self-regulating processes that ensure various physiological parameters, such as temperature and blood glucose levels, remain within a narrow, optimal range. For example, the body actively regulates core temperature through sweating or shivering, while glucose homeostasis is managed by hormones like insulin. Understanding homeostasis is crucial for realizing how our bodies adapt to stressors, and when these balances are disrupted, it can lead to serious health consequences.