Which of the following actions is an example of a homeostatic mechanism?

The action of secreting insulin to decrease blood sugar concentration is an example of a homeostatic mechanism because it involves the body’s ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes. Homeostasis refers to the physiological processes that regulate and stabilize various bodily functions, such as temperature, pH levels, and glucose concentration in the blood.

When blood sugar levels rise, such as after eating a meal, the pancreas releases insulin. Insulin facilitates the uptake of glucose by cells, which lowers blood sugar levels back to a normal range. This response is critical in managing energy levels and ensuring that the body can function effectively. The ability to control and adjust blood sugar levels exemplifies a feedback loop, a core principle of homeostasis, where an increase in a variable triggers a response that counteracts that change.

In contrast, the other choices relate to important biological processes but do not specifically illustrate homeostatic mechanisms. Digesting food is a part of metabolism but does not directly regulate internal conditions. Breaking down toxins is crucial for detoxification, while producing energy is essential for cellular functions, but neither of these illustrates the regulatory feedback processes that characterize homeostasis like the regulation of blood sugar does.