What is homeostasis, and why is it important?

Homeostasis is the body trying to maintain a equilibrium for many body elements, such as body temperature, body functions, etc, even with changes in the environment.

For example, the body, in trying to maintain body temperature in a cold area, would burn more calories and "create more heat" to equalize the body temperature.

Another example would be the body sweating so that excess heat would escape on a hot day.

~

one characteristic that is shared by all is a soft body. many

of these invertebrate animals also have an outer shell to protect their

body. oysters, clams, snails, and mussels are all mollusks. so are octopuses, squids, and slugs. mollusks live on land and in freshwater.