4.5: Chapter Summary
This chapter gave an overview of homeostasis, the body’s ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in the internal and external environments. One important component of homeostasis is the regulation of osmolality, which refers to the balance of solutes and water in the body. Homeostatic equilibrium is maintained through negative feedback loops, which involve a stimulus, a control center, and an effector, and positive feedback loops, which amplify a signal and can lead to a runaway effect if uncontrolled. The body’s ability to maintain homeostasis is essential for proper functioning of cells and tissues.