Glossary
Homeostasis
What is Homeostasis?
Homeostasis is the body's regulation of internal conditions such as temperature, blood glucose, pH, and hydration within workable ranges. Stability requires continual adjustment as activity and surroundings change. “Homeostatic” means relating to this regulation; a homeostatic response helps maintain or restore those internal conditions.
How homeostasis works
Negative feedback is central: a change triggers responses that counter it. Sweating helps cool the body during heat exposure; shivering generates heat when cold. The thermostat analogy is useful, but the body has interacting control systems rather than one fixed setting.
Billman's review describes this dynamic regulation, including interacting feedback and higher control systems.
Homeostasis and behavior
Physiological needs can motivate action. Thirst can lead you to find water; hunger can make food more pressing than the task in front of you. But feeling hungry after missing lunch does not establish low blood glucose.
Physical state belongs in an explanation of behavior. It does not impose a simple hierarchy in which a bodily need always defeats every other goal.