Sunday, September 6, 2015

19. Homeostasis



Homeostasis is when organisms regulate their internal conditions to adjust to the changing environment. The hamster in this picture is demonstrating homeostasis by drinking water. There are many reasons why we humans and animals need to drink water to adjust to our surroundings. For example, after the hamster runs on the wheel, it will get very sweaty and excrete salt and water. To maintain the right water level for its body, it needs to drink water to refill the amount lost. The amount lost has to balance with the amount taken. The results are bad if our bodies have too much or too little water. Another reason to drink water to maintain homeostasis is our sodium level. For example, if the hamster ate something that was high in sodium, its body will demand water because the sodium level has exceeded normal standards.

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