Final answer:
Eating less food during hibernation helps animals conserve energy, rely on fat reserves, and minimize exposure to dangers.
Step-by-step explanation:
During hibernation, animals experience a decrease in activity and metabolism, leading them to eat less food. This reduction in food intake has several effects on the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. First, it helps the animal conserve energy by reducing metabolic processes, such as protein synthesis and cell division. Second, it allows the animal to rely on stored fat reserves, which can be broken down and used as an energy source during hibernation. Finally, by reducing the need for food, hibernating animals can minimize the risk of exposure to predators or other dangers that may be present during winter months.