Homeostatic: meaning, definitions and examples

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homeostatic

 

[ ˌhōmēəˈstādik ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

biological processes

Homeostatic refers to the processes by which living organisms regulate their internal environment to maintain a stable, constant condition in response to changes in external conditions. This includes the regulation of temperature, pH, and other vital parameters essential for survival.

Synonyms

adaptive, regulatory, self-regulating

Examples of usage

  • The body employs homeostatic mechanisms to keep the temperature stable.
  • Homeostatic control is crucial for maintaining electrolyte balance.
  • The concept of homeostatic regulation is key in understanding how organisms adapt to their environments.

Translations

Translations of the word "homeostatic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 homeostático

🇮🇳 होमियोस्टैटिक

🇩🇪 homöostatisch

🇮🇩 homeostatik

🇺🇦 гомеостатичний

🇵🇱 homeostatyczny

🇯🇵 ホメオスタティック

🇫🇷 homéostatique

🇪🇸 homeostático

🇹🇷 homeostatik

🇰🇷 항상성의

🇸🇦 هوميوستاتيكي

🇨🇿 homeostatický

🇸🇰 homeostatický

🇨🇳 体内平衡的

🇸🇮 homeostatski

🇮🇸 homeostatískur

🇰🇿 гомеостаздық

🇬🇪 ჰომეოსტატური

🇦🇿 homeostatik

🇲🇽 homeostático

Etymology

The term 'homeostatic' is derived from the Greek words 'homeo', meaning 'similar', and 'stasis', meaning 'standing still' or 'stability'. The concept of homeostasis was popularized by the American physiologist Walter Cannon in the early 20th century, who used it to describe the physiological processes that maintain equilibrium in living organisms. Cannon emphasized that various body systems work together to maintain a stable internal environment despite external fluctuations. Over the years, the term has been widely utilized in biology and medicine, reflecting the importance of maintaining internal balance for the health and survival of organisms. Today, homeostatic principles apply not only to physiology but also to ecology and social sciences, illustrating the broad relevance of this concept in understanding stability and regulation across various systems.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,435, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.