Which concept describes the body's tendency to maintain stability in the face of stress?

• A. Homeostasis
• B. Hypervigilance
• C. Anger management
• D. Sleep deficit

Answer: (A)

When the body faces stress, it works to keep its internal conditions steady through a process called homeostasis. This involves dynamic regulation by feedback mechanisms that maintain variables like temperature, pH, glucose, and fluid balance within narrow ranges. For example, if core temperature rises, sweating and blood flow to the skin help cool the body; if it falls, shivering and other responses raise the temperature. Homeostasis is about keeping the internal environment stable despite changing conditions.

Hypervigilance describes being unusually alert to threats, not the regulation of internal stability. Anger management refers to techniques for controlling emotions, and sleep deficit is simply not getting enough rest, not the mechanism that maintains bodily balance.