ectotherm
an animal that does not have internal control over its body temperature
effector gland
structure of the endocrine system that releases hormones in the body
endotherm
animal that is warm-blooded and maintains a constant internal body temperature independent of temperature changes in the environment
homeostasis
the body's processes to physiologically regulate its internal environment with response to fluctuations that occur in the internal or external environment
homeostatic imbalance
the inability to maintain balance, which will affect normal functions in the body, leading to a disease, disorder, or even death
negative feedback
a homeostatic feedback system that counteracts a stimulus by inhibiting the direction of the stimulus
osmoregulation
homeostatic process of maintaining water and salt balance in the body
osmotic pressure
a type of pressure generated as water moves across a membrane due to osmosis
positive feedback
a homeostatic feedback system that maintains a stimulus, often increasing the action of a stimulus
set point
a value where the physiological state of the body is stable
stimulus (plural, stimuli)
a change in the internal or external environment contributing to fluctuations that occur away from the set point
thermoregulation
the regulation of a body's internal temperature