The Process of Thermoregulation Flashcards

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What is thermoregulation?

The control of body temperature to keep it near 37 °C.

Which part of the brain controls body temperature?

The hypothalamus, the thermoregulatory centre.

How does the hypothalamus detect a change in core temperature?

It senses the temperature of the blood flowing through it.

What other receptors help detect temperature?

Thermoreceptors in the skin detect outside temperature changes.

What is negative feedback in thermoregulation?

A control loop where change triggers responses that bring temperature back to normal.

Which effectors carry out automatic temperature responses?

Sweat glands, skin blood vessels, skeletal muscles, and hair erector muscles.

What happens during vasodilation when you are too hot?

Skin blood vessels widen, more blood flows near the surface, and more heat is lost.

Why does sweating cool you down?

Sweat evaporates and takes heat from the skin, lowering body temperature.

What happens during vasoconstriction when you are too cold?

Skin blood vessels narrow, less blood reaches the surface, and heat loss falls.

How does shivering help when you are cold?

Muscles contract quickly, increasing respiration and releasing heat.

What do body hairs do in thermoregulation?

When cold, hairs stand up to trap air; when hot, they lie flat.

Name two behavioural responses to change body temperature.

Too hot: move to shade or remove layers. Too cold: put on warm clothes or move to warmth.