What is the term for the regulation of body temperature in living organisms?

The regulation of body temperature in living organisms is specifically referred to as thermoregulation. This term encompasses the physiological processes and behaviors that organisms employ to maintain their internal temperature within a certain range, which is crucial for optimal enzymatic activity and overall metabolic function.

Thermoregulation can occur through various mechanisms, including altering blood flow, adjusting metabolic rates, and engaging in behaviors such as seeking shade or basking in the sun. For example, warm-blooded animals, or endotherms, are capable of maintaining a constant internal temperature regardless of external conditions, while cold-blooded animals, or ectotherms, rely on environmental temperatures to regulate their body heat.

While homeostasis is a broader term that includes the regulation of temperature among many other internal conditions (like pH and glucose levels), it does not specifically refer to temperature regulation alone. Metabolism pertains to the chemical reactions occurring within the body to maintain life, and adaptation refers to evolutionary changes in species over time to better suit their environments. Thus, thermoregulation is the most accurate term for the specific process of maintaining body temperature in living organisms.