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Two types of homeostasis are usually distinguished—physiological and developmental—although intermediate conditions exist. Physiological homeostatic reactions enable organisms to maintain certain physiological steady state in spite of environmental fluctuations. The regulation of the concentration of salt in blood by the kidneys, or the hypertrophy of muscle owing to strenuous use, are examples of physiological homeostasis. Developmental homeostasis refers to the regulation of the different paths that an organism may follow in the progression from fertilized egg to adult. The process can be influenced by the environment in various ways, but the characteristics of the adult individual, at least within a certain range, are largely predetermined in the fertilized egg.

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Go to Evolution Topic Index

Teleology and Teleological Explanations

Evolution: Topic Index
The Darwinian Revolution
Darwin's Discovery: Design without Designer
Natural Selection as a Directive Process
Natural Selection as a Creative Process
Natural Selection as an Opportunistic Process
Chance and Necessity
The Compatiblity of Teological and Causal Explanations
Coda: Science as a Way of Knowing

Source:

Dr. Francisco Ayala
Dr. Francisco Ayala

Bibliography

See also:

Genetics
Evolution
The Relation of Science & Religion
Purpose and Design
The Argument From Design
The Anthropic Principle
Opinions
Charles Darwin
Galileo
Copernicus
Sir Isaac Newton
DNA Double-Helix