Which of the following best describes homeostasis in a living organism?

• A. The process by which cells convert glucose into ATP only when oxygen is absent
• B. A continuous increase in metabolic rate to maximize energy production under all conditions
• C. The maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment despite changes in the external environment
• D. The tendency for organisms to match their internal conditions exactly to the external environment

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the definition of homeostasis: it refers to the ability of a living organism to maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in the external environment.
2. Recognize that homeostasis involves regulatory mechanisms that balance factors such as temperature, pH, and ion concentrations within narrow limits.
3. Eliminate options that describe processes unrelated to maintaining internal stability, such as converting glucose to ATP only when oxygen is absent (which describes anaerobic respiration).
4. Exclude options that suggest continuous increase in metabolic rate or matching internal conditions exactly to the external environment, as these do not reflect the concept of maintaining stability.
5. Conclude that the best description of homeostasis is the maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment despite changes in the external environment.