National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level 2 (NCAC II) Practice Exam Exam

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Which term best describes the process of maintaining internal stability in the body?

  1. Equilibrium

  2. Homeostasis

  3. Adaptation

  4. Regulation

The correct answer is: Homeostasis

The term that best describes the process of maintaining internal stability in the body is homeostasis. Homeostasis refers specifically to the mechanisms that the body employs to maintain a stable internal environment, despite external changes. This involves various physiological processes including temperature regulation, pH balance, and electrolyte levels, among others. Homeostasis is crucial for ensuring that the body functions optimally and can respond effectively to both internal and external stimuli. For example, when the body temperature rises, mechanisms kick in to dissipate heat and restore a normal temperature range. Similarly, if blood sugar levels fall or rise, the body initiates responses to bring those levels back to a stable state. While equilibrium also refers to a state of balance, it is not as specific as homeostasis in the context of biological processes. Adaptation, on the other hand, generally refers to how organisms evolve over time in response to environmental pressures, which is a longer-term process rather than immediate internal stability. Regulation can be seen as a part of homeostasis but does not fully encompass the entirety of maintaining internal stability as thoroughly as homeostasis does. Thus, in the context of maintaining internal stability specifically within the body, homeostasis is the most accurate term.