Discuss the importance of homeostasis in animals

Animal organs and organ systems constantly adjust to internal and external changes through a process called homeostasis (“steady state”). These changes might be in the level of glucose or calcium in blood or in external temperatures. Homeostasis means to maintain dynamic equilibrium in the body. It is dynamic because it is constantly adjusting to the changes that the body’s systems encounter. It is equilibrium because body functions are kept within specific ranges. Even an animal that is apparently inactive is maintaining this homeostatic equilibrium.

What You’ll Learn to Do

• Define homeostasis
• Describe the factors affecting homeostasis
• Describe the process of thermoregulation
• Describe thermoregulation of endothermic and ectothermic animals

Learning Activities

The learning activities for this section include the following:

• What is Homeostasis?
• Control of Homeostasis
• Thermoregulation
• Self Check: Homeostasis