Which of the following is NOT an example of homeostasis in an organism?

• A. Sweating to help maintain a stable internal body temperature
• B. Regulating blood glucose levels through insulin and glucagon signaling
• C. Adjusting breathing rate to help maintain blood pH by controlling $C_{0}2$ levels
• D. A caterpillar undergoing metamorphosis into a butterfly

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of homeostasis: it is the process by which an organism maintains a stable internal environment despite changes in external conditions.
2. Review each example to see if it involves maintaining internal stability: sweating regulates body temperature, blood glucose regulation maintains energy balance, and adjusting breathing rate controls blood pH—all are homeostatic processes.
3. Analyze the caterpillar undergoing metamorphosis: this is a developmental change, a transformation from one life stage to another, not a process aimed at maintaining internal stability.
4. Conclude that metamorphosis is a biological process but not an example of homeostasis because it does not maintain a constant internal environment.
5. Therefore, identify the caterpillar undergoing metamorphosis as the option that is NOT an example of homeostasis.