Chapter 5.3 - Thermoregulation

Question 1

Define Thermoregulation

Answer 1

Regulation of the body temperature, by balancing heat gain and heat loss.

Via making heat gain = heat loss

Question 2

How is heat gained in the body?

Answer 2

1. Body processes - METABOLISM
   eg respiration of liver and muscle cells
2. Surrounding environment heat transfer via conduction and radiation

Question 3

How is heat lost in the body?

Answer 3

1. Radiation
2. Conduction
3. Convection
   of body heat to surroundings
4. Evaporation of H2O from the lungs and skin
   - warm breath, urine, faeces, sweating

Question 4

What is the optimum temperature of the body?

Answer 4

36.8 degrees Celcius or approx 37

• internal temp is usually higher than the surrounding enviro. temp.
• helped via metabolism

Question 5

Why is the optimum temperature so important?

Answer 5

Cells to function at an optimum and stable manner

increase in temp over 45 causes nerve malfunction, changes the structure of protein and enzymes, and death.

Question 6

Why does variation in body temp occur?

Answer 6

Increased heat gain or loss due to

1. EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT CHANGES IN TEMP
2. BODY ACTIVITIES AFFECTING METABOLISM
3. CYCLES OF THE BODY
   - FEMALES menstrual cycle there is increased temp in 2nd half where the effects of progesterone are present.
   - daily cycle where the lowest temp is in the morning and highest in the evening