Definition
Homeostasis is the process by which living organisms regulate their internal environment to maintain a stable, constant condition, despite changes in the external environment. This involves the regulation of temperature, pH balance, glucose concentration, and other critical physiological variables. Homeostasis is crucial for the survival of organisms, allowing them to function effectively in a wide range of external conditions.
Etymology and Origin
The term homeostasis combines two Greek words: homeo, meaning “similar”, and stasis, meaning “standing still”. It was coined in the early 20th century by the American physiologist Walter Bradford Cannon to describe the self-regulating processes that maintain the stability of the internal environment of organisms. The concept of homeostasis has since become a foundational principle in physiology and medicine, reflecting the dynamic equilibrium organisms maintain to survive and thrive.
