Question

A hedgehog lives in a backyard in England. Every night, the house owner puts out a bowl of canned cat food and hard-boiled egg. The hungry hedgehog eats some of the food, then stops when it is no longer hungry. This pattern helps the hedgehog to maintain a steady energy level and weight.

What is the name for keeping a stable internal environment despite changes in the outside environment?

A. hormonal control
B. stimulus and response
C. balance
D. homeostasis

Answer 1

The hedgehog maintains a stable internal environment through homeostasis, which is a biological process of constantly adjusting to maintain equilibrium.

Step-by-step explanation:

The term for keeping a stable internal environment despite changes in the outside environment is homeostasis. This biological process allows an organism to maintain dynamic equilibrium by making constant adjustments. For example, when the hedgehog in the question eats to a certain level of fullness, it is able to maintain its energy level and weight, demonstrating homeostasis.