Which statement correctly distinguishes homeostasis from hemostasis in human physiology?

• A. Homeostasis is the maintenance of relatively stable internal conditions (e.g., body temperature and blood glucose), whereas hemostasis is the process of stopping bleeding through clot formation.
• B. Homeostasis is a short-term positive feedback response to injury, whereas hemostasis is a long-term negative feedback process that stabilizes internal conditions.
• C. Homeostasis refers only to maintaining constant metabolic rate, whereas hemostasis refers to maintaining constant body temperature.
• D. Homeostasis is the formation of blood clots after injury, whereas hemostasis is the regulation of internal variables such as pH and osmolarity.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the definitions of the two terms. Homeostasis refers to the body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes. This includes regulation of variables like body temperature, blood glucose levels, pH, and osmolarity.
2. Step 2: Recognize that hemostasis is a specific physiological process that stops bleeding by forming blood clots after an injury. It is a protective mechanism to prevent blood loss.
3. Step 3: Compare the scope of each term. Homeostasis is a broad concept involving multiple systems and variables to keep the internal environment stable, while hemostasis is a specific response related to blood clotting.
4. Step 4: Evaluate the given statements by matching them to these definitions. The correct distinction is that homeostasis maintains stable internal conditions generally, whereas hemostasis specifically refers to stopping bleeding through clot formation.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the statement correctly distinguishing the two is: 'Homeostasis is the maintenance of relatively stable internal conditions (e.g., body temperature and blood glucose), whereas hemostasis is the process of stopping bleeding through clot formation.'