Final answer:
The total number of cells in the body does not remain constant as it can change due to cell division, cell death, and different life stages. Cells constantly turn over and regenerate to support bodily functions, including maintaining homeostasis. The number of cells in the human body is dynamic and fluctuates with various physiological processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Constancy of Cell Numbers in the Human Body
The statement that the total number of cells in the body remains constant is false. The number of cells within the human body can fluctuate for various reasons such as cell division, cell death, and during different life stages. Body cells, which are also known as somatic cells, usually have double the number of chromosomes compared to reproductive cells (gametes), which are haploid. However, the idea that somatic cells have the same number of chromosomes as reproductive cells is incorrect. The cell must be capable of sustaining all structures and activities necessary for survival, and this involves constant turnover and regeneration of cells.
Homeostasis is the term that describes the body's maintenance of a steady state, with crucial variables kept within a narrow range essential for cell function. Cells may gain water and swell, or they may stay the same size if water is moving into and out of the cell at the same rate. In some instances, when facing unfavorable conditions, cells may stop dividing and enter a phase of inactivity known as the G0 phase, but this does not indicate a static number of cells in the body overall. Similarly, the number of cells in a body can be estimated based on the organism's mass, but it is dynamic and changes with growth, healing, and other physiological processes.