Which biological process helps maintain a stable internal environment?

Homeostasis is the biological process that helps maintain a stable internal environment within an organism. It involves various physiological mechanisms that regulate factors such as temperature, pH, hydration, and electrolyte balance, ensuring that the body's internal conditions remain relatively constant despite external changes. For instance, when body temperature rises, mechanisms such as sweating and increased blood flow to the skin activate to dissipate heat, helping maintain the optimal temperature for enzymatic and metabolic processes.

This internal regulation is crucial for the survival of organisms, as it allows cells to function effectively under varying environmental conditions. The concept of homeostasis is central to understanding how living organisms adapt and manage their internal climate to support life processes, resilience, and overall health. This includes responses to changes such as exercise when metabolic rate increases or to fluctuations in external temperatures. The other options relate to different ecological or metabolic phenomena that do not specifically address the maintenance of an organism's internal stability.