What does homeostasis mean?
Homeostasis refers to the ability of an organism or system to maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in external conditions. This is achieved through various regulatory mechanisms that control factors such as temperature, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure. Homeostasis is essential for maintaining proper bodily functions and overall health. The concept of homeostasis can also be applied to other systems, such as ecosystems, economies, or social systems, to describe their ability to maintain balance and stability. Understanding homeostasis is crucial in fields like biology, medicine, and physiology.
nounThe ability or tendency of an organism or system to maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in external conditions.
- The maintenance of a stable internal environment in an organism or system.
- The process by which an organism or system regulates its internal environment to maintain stability.
"The human body maintains homeostasis through various regulatory mechanisms, such as temperature control and blood sugar regulation."
"The body's homeostatic mechanisms help regulate blood pressure and maintain a stable heart rate."
"The ecosystem's homeostasis was disrupted by the introduction of an invasive species."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of homeostasis
The term 'homeostasis' was coined in 1930 by Walter Bradford Cannon, an American physiologist. It is derived from the Greek words 'homos', meaning 'same', and 'stasis', meaning 'standing' or 'stationary'. The concept of homeostasis has its roots in ancient Greek medicine, but the modern understanding of homeostasis developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the work of physiologists like Claude Bernard and Walter Bradford Cannon.
Usage notes
Often used in biology, medicine, and physiology to describe the body's regulatory mechanisms. Can also be used more broadly to describe balance or stability in other systems.