Statistical Process Control

Biological Parallel

Homeostasis is biological statistical process control: the hypothalamus monitors body temperature within 0.5°C, the pancreas regulates blood glucose to 80-100 mg/dL, and the kidneys maintain pH at 7.35-7.45. Deviations beyond control limits trigger immediate corrective action—shivering, insulin release, or altered respiration. The sinoatrial node maintains heart rate at 60-100 bpm; variation beyond this range signals pathology requiring intervention. Statistical process control mirrors physiology's principle: define normal variation, measure continuously, and intervene only when the process exceeds natural bounds.