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_____ defines the process by which organisms cope with environmental forces and stresses

User TheFrack
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Final answer:

Organisms cope with environmental forces and stresses by using feedback mechanisms to maintain their internal environments and respond to external environmental changes. This involves both positive and negative feedback loops, which regulate processes such as body temperature and blood sugar levels.

Step-by-step explanation:

The concept in question defines how organisms maintain homeostasis—more specifically, it involves the use of feedback mechanisms to regulate their internal environments and adapt to changes in external conditions. These feedback mechanisms can either be positive, where the response to a stimulus increases the original change, or negative, in which the response reduces the initial change, thus helping the organism to cope with environmental stresses and forces.

One well-known example of a feedback mechanism is the regulation of body temperature in humans. When body temperature rises, our bodies respond by sweating to cool down, while shivering to produce heat occurs when the temperature drops. These are types of negative feedback mechanisms that help maintain a consistent body temperature.

Another example of feedback mechanisms at work is the regulation of blood sugar levels by insulin and glucagon in the human body. When blood sugar levels rise, insulin is released to lower the concentration, and when the levels drop, glucagon is released to increase the sugar concentration in the bloodstream, ensuring the body's cells have a constant supply of energy.

User Kalin
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