122k views
0 votes
Which of the following describes homeostasis?

A. A cat chases a ball of string.
B. A dog barks at a television set.
C. A child inherits brown hair color.
D. A person sweats when they get hot.

1 Answer

6 votes

Final answer:

Homeostasis refers to the process by which organisms maintain a stable internal environment, such as sweating to cool the body when hot. Equilibrium in homeostasis is maintaining a set point amid fluctuations. An example of homeostasis in desert animals is the camel's ability to store fat and prevent dehydration.

Step-by-step explanation:

Homeostasis describes the process by which living organisms maintain a stable internal environment in response to changes in external conditions. The best example that describes homeostasis from the given options is D. A person sweats when they get hot. Sweating is the body's way of cooling down to maintain a constant internal temperature, which is crucial for the proper functioning of enzymes and other physiological processes.

When you go for a long walk on a hot day, sweating is a homeostatic response that helps your body regulate temperature. As sweat evaporates from the skin, it removes heat from the body, thus cooling it down. Furthermore, an example of an adaptation that evolved in a desert plant or animal to survive extreme temperatures is the ability of a camel to withstand heat and water scarcity by having a hump that stores fat, which can be metabolized when food and water are scarce, and a thick coat to prevent sunburn and dehydration.

Equilibrium in Homeostasis

Equilibrium in the context of organismal homeostasis refers to the body's systems attempting to return to a set point despite normal fluctuations. For instance, when the temperature in your body increases, the blood vessels will expand to allow more blood to flow closer to the skin's surface, resulting in increased heat dissipation.

User Zharro
by
6.8k points