15.2/3 Thermoregulation Flashcards
what is thermoregulation?
the maintenance of a constant core body temperature
why is thermoregulation important?
enzymes in the body have optimum temperatures which need to be maintained in order to allow for enzyme controlled reactions to occur
what is latent heat of evaporation?
objects cool down as water evaporates from a surface
what is radiation?
transmission of electromagnetic waves to and from the air, water and ground
what is convection?
heating and cooling of air or water
warm air rises and cooler air sinks which sets up a convection current
what is conduction?
heating as a result of colliding with other molecules
what is an ectotherm?
animals which use their surroundings to warm their body
what is an endotherm?
animals which rely on metabolic processes to warm up
endotherm vs ectotherm
endotherm is able to maintain a constant body temperature
an ectotherm cannot maintain or control their body temperature
features of ectotherms
mostly invertebrates
many living in water don’t need to thermoregulate as water as a high specific heat capacity
features of endotherms
mammals and birds
can survive a wide range of environments through adaptations which allow it to cool and heat up
how are changes in temperature detected by the body?
receptors detect a change in the internal environment
what are the 2 types of temperature receptors?
peripheral temperature receptors
temperature receptors in the hypothalamus
what do the peripheral temperature receptors do?
found in the skin and detect changes in surface temperature
what do temperature receptors in the hypothalamus do?
detect changes in the blood deep in the body
which receptor is more important?
the peripheral temperature receptors as most changes to the temperature occurs due to changes in external conditions
through which centres does thermoregulation occur in?
the heat loss centre
the heat gain centre
what is the heat loss centre?
activated when temp of the blood flowing through the hypothalamus INCREASES
impulses are sent through autonomic motor neurones to effectors in the skin and muscles which trigger the responses to get the core temperature to decrease
what is the heat gain centre?
activated when temp of blood flowing through the hypothalamus DECREASES
impulses are sent to effectors in the skin and muscles which triggers responses which raise the core temperature
which motor neurones are used in thermoregulation?
autonomic motor neurones
why can certain animals survive without oxygen for long periods of time?
they have a low metabollic rate
less energy is spent on thermoregulation
