Which term best defines the maintenance of a constant internal environment in living organisms?

Which term best defines the maintenance of a constant internal environment in living organisms?

• A. DNA remains unchanged
• B. Constant internal environment
• C. External environment remains constant
• D. Cells divide rapidly

Answer: (B)

Maintaining a constant internal environment is what homeostasis is all about. The best term to define this maintenance is homeostasis itself, because it names the regulatory process organisms use to keep internal conditions—like temperature, pH, ion balance, and nutrient levels—within narrow, life-sustaining ranges despite changes outside. The other ideas don’t capture this regulatory concept. DNA remaining unchanged describes genetic stability, not the regulation of internal conditions. The external environment remaining constant refers to conditions outside the organism, not how the organism keeps its internal milieu stable. Cells dividing rapidly relates to growth or reproduction, which is different from maintaining internal homeostasis.

Maintaining a constant internal environment is what homeostasis is all about. The best term to define this maintenance is homeostasis itself, because it names the regulatory process organisms use to keep internal conditions—like temperature, pH, ion balance, and nutrient levels—within narrow, life-sustaining ranges despite changes outside.

The other ideas don’t capture this regulatory concept. DNA remaining unchanged describes genetic stability, not the regulation of internal conditions. The external environment remaining constant refers to conditions outside the organism, not how the organism keeps its internal milieu stable. Cells dividing rapidly relates to growth or reproduction, which is different from maintaining internal homeostasis.