All organisms must maintain homeostasis-- a condition of internal balance-- to survive. This involves keeping internal temperatures, internal pH, and internal water levels the same. Organisms must keep homeostasis to give their cells a steady internal environment in which they can function regardless of the changes in the external environment.
Organisms are relatively diverse, but scientists have found that almost all organisms share the same basic systems for maintaining homeostasis, which points to the fact that all of these organisms evolved from a common ancestor. This section explores these similarities and the differences that specific organisms have evolved to match their needs.
Click on the subpages to see this comparison in two areas: osmoregulation, or maintaining water levels, and thermoregulation, or maintaining steady internal temperatures.
Organisms are relatively diverse, but scientists have found that almost all organisms share the same basic systems for maintaining homeostasis, which points to the fact that all of these organisms evolved from a common ancestor. This section explores these similarities and the differences that specific organisms have evolved to match their needs.
Click on the subpages to see this comparison in two areas: osmoregulation, or maintaining water levels, and thermoregulation, or maintaining steady internal temperatures.