14.4

Homeostasis

Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610)  · Unit 14: Coordination and response  · 11 flashcards

Homeostasis is topic 14.4 in the Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) syllabus , positioned in Unit 14 — Coordination and response , alongside Coordination and response, Sense organs and Hormones.  In one line: Homeostasis is the maintenance of a constant internal environment within the body. This ensures optimal conditions for enzyme action and cell function. An example is the regulation of body temperature and blood glucose levels.

This topic is examined in Paper 1 (multiple-choice) and Papers 3/4 (theory), plus Paper 5 or Paper 6 (practical / alternative to practical).

The deck below contains 11 flashcards — 1 definition, 3 key concepts, 6 process cards and 1 application card — covering the precise wording mark schemes reward.  Use the definition card to lock down command-word answers (define, state), then move on to the concept and application cards to handle explain, describe and compare questions.

Key definition

Homeostasis

Homeostasis is the maintenance of a constant internal environment within the body. This ensures optimal conditions for enzyme action and cell function. An example is the regulation of body temperature and blood glucose levels.

What the Cambridge 0610 syllabus says

Official 2026-2028 spec

These are the exact learning objectives Cambridge sets for this topic. Match the command word (Describe, Explain, State, etc.) in your answer to score full marks.

  1. Describe Describe homeostasis as the maintenance of a constant internal environment
  2. State State that insulin decreases blood glucose concentration
  3. Explain Explain the concept of homeostatic control by negative feedback with reference to a set point Supplement
  4. Describe Describe the control of blood glucose concentration by the liver and the roles of insulin and glucagon Supplement
  5. Outline Outline the treatment of Type 1 diabetes Supplement
  6. Identify Identify in diagrams and images of the skin: hairs, hair erector muscles, sweat glands, receptors, sensory neurones, blood vessels and fatty tissue Supplement
  7. Describe Describe the maintenance of a constant internal body temperature in mammals in terms of: insulation, sweating, shivering and the role of the brain Supplement
  8. Describe Describe the maintenance of a constant internal body temperature in mammals in terms of vasodilation and vasoconstriction of arterioles supplying skin surface capillaries Supplement
Definition Flip

What is homeostasis?

Answer Flip

Homeostasis is the maintenance of a constant internal environment within the body. This ensures optimal conditions for enzyme action and cell function. An example is the regulation of body temperature and blood glucose levels.

Key Concept Flip

What is the role of insulin in blood glucose regulation?

Answer Flip

Insulin decreases blood glucose concentration by promoting the uptake of glucose by cells, especially liver and muscle cells, where it is converted to glycogen for storage. This process helps to lower blood sugar levels after a meal.

Key Concept Flip

Explain homeostatic control using negative feedback.

Answer Flip

Negative feedback involves a response that counteracts the initial stimulus to maintain a set point.

Example: if blood glucose levels rise, insulin is released to lower them; once lowered, insulin secretion decreases.
Key Concept Flip

Describe the role of the liver in blood glucose regulation.

Answer Flip

The liver stores glucose as glycogen when blood glucose levels are high (stimulated by insulin) and breaks down glycogen into glucose to release into the blood when levels are low (stimulated by glucagon).

Key Concept Flip

What is the role of glucagon in blood glucose regulation?

Answer Flip

Glucagon increases blood glucose concentration by stimulating the liver to break down glycogen into glucose and release it into the bloodstream. This occurs when blood glucose levels are too low.

Key Concept Flip

Outline the treatment for Type 1 diabetes.

Answer Flip

Type 1 diabetes is treated with regular insulin injections or the use of an insulin pump to maintain blood glucose levels within a normal range. Careful monitoring of blood glucose is also essential.

Key Concept Flip

Describe how the body maintains a constant internal body temperature through sweating.

Answer Flip

Sweating releases sweat onto the skin surface. As the sweat evaporates, it absorbs heat from the body, cooling the skin and reducing body temperature. This is crucial during exercise or in hot environments.

Key Concept Flip

Describe how the body maintains a constant internal body temperature through shivering.

Answer Flip

Shivering involves rapid, involuntary muscle contractions, which generate heat and raise body temperature. This is a response to cold conditions, helping to restore the body's internal temperature.

Key Concept Flip

What is vasodilation and how does it help regulate body temperature?

Answer Flip

Vasodilation is the widening of arterioles supplying skin surface capillaries, allowing more blood to flow near the skin's surface. This increases heat loss through radiation, cooling the body down when it's too hot.

Key Concept Flip

What is vasoconstriction and how does it help regulate body temperature?

Answer Flip

Vasoconstriction is the narrowing of arterioles supplying skin surface capillaries, reducing blood flow near the skin's surface. This decreases heat loss through radiation, helping to conserve heat when it's cold.

Key Concept Flip

What is the role of the brain in thermoregulation?

Answer Flip

The hypothalamus in the brain acts as the thermoregulatory center. It receives information about body temperature and initiates responses like shivering, sweating, vasodilation, and vasoconstriction to maintain a stable internal temperature.

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14.3 Hormones 14.5 Tropic responses

Key Questions: Homeostasis

What is homeostasis?

Homeostasis is the maintenance of a constant internal environment within the body. This ensures optimal conditions for enzyme action and cell function. An example is the regulation of body temperature and blood glucose levels.

More topics in Unit 14 — Coordination and response

Homeostasis sits alongside these Biology decks in the same syllabus unit. Each uses the same spaced-repetition system, so progress in one informs the next.

14.1 Coordination and response

10 flashcards
14.2 Sense organs

12 flashcards
14.3 Hormones

10 flashcards
14.5 Tropic responses

10 flashcards

Cambridge syllabus keywords to use in your answers

These are the official Cambridge 0610 terms tagged to this section. Mark schemes credit responses that use the exact term — weave them into your answers verbatim rather than paraphrasing.

homeostasis negative feedback blood glucose body temperature thermoregulation vasodilation vasoconstriction sweating shivering hypothermia hyperthermia

Key terms covered in this Homeostasis deck

Every term below is defined in the flashcards above. Use the list as a quick recall test before your exam — if you can't define one of these in your own words, flip back to that card.

Homeostasis

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How to study this Homeostasis deck

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