5. Homeostasis and Response (control of body temperature) Flashcards
What does the thermoregulatory system do?
It monitors and controls body temperature
Where is the thermoregulatory system found?
In the brain
What two things does the thermoregulatory system have?
- receptors that monitor the temperature of the blood
- receptors in the skin that send impulses to the thermoregulatory system
What is the human body temperature?
37.5 degrees celsius
What happens if the temperature in the body becomes too high?
- Sweat, which evaporates from the skin surface, is produced from sweat glands
- Vasodilation means more blood flows closer to the surface of the skin, resulting in an increased energy transfer from the body (more heat is radiated away)
What is vasodilation?
the widening of blood vessels as a result of the relaxation of the blood vessel’s muscular walls
What is vasoconstriction?
the narrowing of blood vessels by small muscles in their walls
What happens if the temperature in the body becomes too low?
- sweating stops
- skeletal muscles contract rapidly (shivering)
- hairs stand on end
- vasoconstriction
How does skeletal muscles contracting rapidly warm the body up?
shivering, releases heat from respiration
How does hairs standing on end warm the body up?
It creates an insulating layer, trapping warm air
How does vasoconstriction warm the body up?
vasoconstriction means that blood does not flow so close to the surface of the skin, resulting in less heat loss
