Controlling Body Temperature Flashcards
what is the optimum temperature for enzymes in the body
37C
what does the body have to do to keep the core body temperature constant
balance the amount of energy gained through respiration and lost
where is the thermoregulatory center located and what does it do
- the brain (hypothalamus)
- contains receptors that are sensitive to temp of the blood flowing through the brain
how does the thermoregulatory center receive information about the skin temp
by receiving impulses from temp receptors
what does the thermoregulatory center act like and trigger
- acts like the coordination center
- triggers the effectors automatically
example of an effector triggered when cooling down
sweat glands
example of an effector triggered when warming up
muscles
what does it mean when some effectors work antagonistically
one effector heats and the other cools. they will work at the same time to achieve a precise temp. this allows for more sensitive responses
what are different responses produced by
effectors to counteract an increase or decrease in body temp
name two things that happen when youre too hot
- sweat is produced by sweat glands and evaporates from the skin
- blood vessels supplying the skin dilate more (vasodilation)
why is sweat produced by sweat glands which evaporates on your skin
the evaporation transfers heat energy to the environment
why do blood vessels supplying the skin dilate more
so more blood flows close to the surface of the skin. this helps transfer energy from the skin to the environment
name 4 things that happen when youre too cold
- hairs stand up
- no sweat is produced
- blood vessels supplying skin capillaries constrict (vasoconstriction)
- you shiver (muscles contract automatically)
why do your hairs stand uo
to trap an insulating layer of air
why is no sweat produced
so that you lose as little heat as possible as sweat carries heat energy with it when it evaporates
