The hypothalamus is a small region of the brain. It's located at the base of the brain, near the pituitary gland. While it's very small, the hypothalamus plays a crucial role in many important functions, including: releasing hormones. regulating body temperature,hungry,fatigue and sleep.
The body mechanisms are well driven with the help and coordination of the different number and nature of organs, as each organ has its own specified number of characteristics. There are different system which drives the complex form of body mechanism for the human body in a more proper manner or sense.
As, the brain and spinal cord along with the rest of the nervous system helps in the regulation of the optimum number of molecules required for the individuals inside a given balance or given standard.
While, the brain is composed of the different parts and each part is then divided into the number of sections which brings great variety to the over all mechanism of the body, such as for the regulation of the temperature the vertebrates have the hypothalamus, which is also responsible for other different forms of functions and operations inside the human body. While, the optimum temperature for the survival of the human cell or as a whole body is about 37 degree centigrade. This temperature is well balanced with the help of mechanisms called as the thermoregulation.
Im not sure but if you think of it, the one that you didn't put any salt is a independent variable because it doesn't really rely on anything it doesn't have salt. The Dependent variable would be the 2nd and the 3rd cup because it doesn't have much salt but the 4th cup has lots of salt so its basically controlled. Hope it helps !