The process of maintaining a steady internal environment is known as__________

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the term that describes keeping the internal environment of an organism steady (constant), for example in temperature, water content, blood sugar and pH.

Step 2: Explain the concept Living organisms must keep conditions inside their bodies within narrow limits so that cells and enzymes work well. This is called homeostasis:

• homeo = similar or steady
• stasis = standing or staying

Examples include:

• Regulating body temperature (thermoregulation)
• Controlling blood sugar through insulin and glucagon
• Regulating water and salt balance (osmoregulation)
• Removing metabolic wastes (excretion)

Step 3: Check each option

• A. Osmoregulation: This is only one part of homeostasis, the control of water and salt concentration. It is too narrow.
• B. Equilibration: This is not a standard biological term for this process. It just means reaching a balance.
• C. Homeostasis: This is the general term for maintaining a steady internal environment. ✔
• D. Plasmolysis: This is the shrinking of the cell membrane away from the cell wall in plant cells placed in a hypertonic solution. It is unrelated here.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is **C.

💡 Exam tip: When a question says "steady internal environment" or "constant internal conditions", think homeostasis. Osmoregulation is only a type of homeostasis, so choose it only when the question specifically mentions water or salt balance.