B1f - Staying In Balance Flashcards
What is homeostasis?
Maintaining a constant internal environment (involving bodily inputs and outputs)
Why are factors kept at steady levels by automatic control systems?
Limited to temperature, water content and carbon dioxide
How does sweating increase heat transfer to the environment?
By evaporation of sweat which requires heat, so removing heat from the skin
What is the average human body temperature?
37 - optimum temperature for the action of enzyme
How do humans lose more heat?
Sweating
More blood flow near to the surface of the skin
How to you gain/keep heat?
Exercising Shivering Releasing energy from food (respiration) Reduced sweating Less blood flow near surface of skin Putting on extra/warmer clothes
How can body temperature be measured?
Ear
Fingers
Mouth
Anus
Where does sweat come from?
Sweat glands in the skin
Why use anti-perspirant and shower after exercise?
It stops bacteria from living on the sweat and causing smell
What happens if your body gets too hot?
- heat stroke (when sweating is ineffective and skin becomes cold and clammy. The pulse is rapid and weak)
- dehydration (because of losing too much water)
What happens when the body gets too cold?
-hypothermia (when the amount of heat generated is too low and temperature fails) pulse rate slows and and causes violent shivers
What is the hypothalamus?
It is a small gland in the brain. It helps to keep the body in balance by detecting when the blood is too hot or cold
What is vasoconstriction?
When the body is too cold, small blood vessels in the skin constrict and so less blood flows through them, reducing heat loss
What is vasodilation?
When the body is too hot small blood vessels in the skin dilate and so blood flow increases, bringing more blood to the surface where it loses heat
What is type one diabetes?
When the pancreas cant produce enough insulin (insulin is a hormone). Treated by injections of insulin
