What is homeostasis?

Homeostasis refers to the processes that organisms use to maintain stable internal conditions despite changes in their external environment. This includes regulating factors such as temperature, pH, hydration levels, and nutrient concentration. Keeping these internal variables within specific limits is crucial for the proper functioning of biological systems. For instance, human bodies maintain a core temperature around 37 degrees Celsius; if this temperature rises or falls significantly, it can lead to dysfunction or even death.

The other options focus on different biological concepts. The growth pattern of organisms in relation to the environment highlights developmental and ecological aspects rather than internal regulation. The evolutionary process that leads to species diversity pertains to changes over generations that result in new species but does not address internal stability mechanisms. Interactions between different species in an ecosystem describe ecological relationships, such as predation and competition, rather than the internal consistency that homeostasis entails. Thus, option B accurately captures the essence of homeostasis, emphasizing its role in regulating internal stability.