AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Homeostasis has become the central unifying concept of physiology and is defined as a self-regulating process by which an organism can maintain internal stability while adjusting to changing external conditions.

Detailed explanation-2: -Homeostasis is maintained by a series of control mechanisms functioning at the organ, tissue or cellular level. These control mechanisms include substrate supply, activation or inhibition of individual enzymes and receptors, synthesis and degradation of enzymes, and compartmentalization.

Detailed explanation-3: -Cells undergo homeostasis by diffusing different ions and molecules to maintain their balance and organisms have multiple systems working together to maintain homeostasis (e.g. vasodilation (cardiovascular system) and sweating (integumentary system) to give off heat, which affects the body as a whole).

Detailed explanation-4: -Despite the constant exchanges between our internal & external environment and a constantly changing external environment, our internal environment must be kept balanced and stable so that our cells can perform their metabolic functions at maximum efficiency. This state of internal balance in our bodies is homeostasis.

Detailed explanation-5: -The endocrine and central nervous systems are the major control systems for regulating homeostasis (Tortora and Anagnostakos, 2003) (Fig 2).