The characteristics of homeostasis: a new perspective on teaching a fundamental principle in biology

• Autores: Sara Klein, Michal Zion
• Localización: School Science Review, ISSN 0036-6811, Vol. 97, Nº. 358, 2015 (Ejemplar dedicado a: Practical work II), págs. 85-93
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Homeostasis is a fundamental principle in biology that represents the biological essence of living organisms: the dynamic stability of the body. There are difficulties comprehending homeostasis, as there are concrete sensory aspects as well as scientific aspects that are abstract and complex. These difficulties have led us to define eight characteristics of homeostasis, in order to describe the "homeostatic features" of physiological systems (processes and situations) in living organisms. We present perceptions regarding homeostasis of 12th grade biology students (age 17-18) who studied homeostasis through those eight characteristics. The students' perceptions reflect their understanding of the multifaceted appearance of homeostasis in living organisms.