Science Common Sense
1248 - What phenomena can be observed or altered by changing the independent variable to maintain a stable internal environment in living organisms?
In living things, when we change one thing (the independent variable), like the temperature outside or the amount of light they get, other things inside them change too.
Here are some examples of phenomena that get altered to keep their internal environment stable:
- Sweating: When it gets hot outside, we start sweating to cool down our body.
- Shivering: When it gets cold outside, our body starts to shiver to warm up our body.
- Breathing faster or slower: When we exercise, we breathe faster to get more oxygen in, and when we relax, we breathe slower to save energy.
- Changing heart rate: When we run or get excited, our heart beats faster to pump more blood, and when we're calm, it beats slower to save energy.
- Growing thicker or thinner skin: Some animals can grow thicker fur or skin to stay warm in winter, and then shed it in summer to cool down.
These changes help our bodies to stay stable and healthy inside, even when the outside world changes.