Final answer:
Organisms maintain homeostasis to ensure the optimal functioning of cellular processes, enabling them to adapt to various environmental conditions and maintain internal stability necessary for survival.
Step-by-step explanation:
Organisms need to maintain homeostasis to ensure that their cellular processes occur under optimal conditions. Through homeostasis, organisms maintain internal equilibrium by adjusting biological processes, despite external environmental changes. This is vital for survival, as it enables cells to function correctly and supports overall health and stability.
For example, thermoregulation is a form of homeostasis that helps organisms regulate their body temperature. Polar bears have adapted to cold climates with features like fur and blubber to conserve heat, while in hot climates, humans perspire and dogs pant to release excess body heat.
Furthermore, organisms use feedback mechanisms to regulate growth, reproduction, and to maintain a dynamic homeostasis. These mechanisms provide a way to respond and adjust to changes, ensuring that internal conditions remain within a narrow, favorable range.