Feedback Control: Temperature and Other Vital Signs Flashcards
what is the core temperature
the temperature of the blood and internal organs
what is normothermia
when the core body temperature is kept within a narrow range
what can overheating cause
-protein denaturation
-nerve malfunction
-convulsions and death
what can decreased body temperature cause
-slows down cellular metabolism/ function
-can be fatal
what can alter normal body temp
activity, exercise, emotions, or exposure to extremes of temperature
what is basal metabolic rate (BMR)
minimum amount of energy required to sustain vital body functions
what does BMR lead to
basic level of he at production
how can BMR be increased
by hormones such as adrenaline, noradrenaline and thyroxine
what is the cause for around half a human body heat loss
radiation
how does the human body maintain its core temperature
by homeostatic mechanisms involving a negative feedback control system
describe the 3 things included in negative feedback control
sensor
control centre
effectors
name the different effectors in temperature control
skeletal muscles, skin arterioles and sweat glands
what does the hypothalamus do
acts as the body’s thermostat (maintains the temperature at a set point)
what is the posterior hypothalamic centre activated by
cold
what is the anterior hypothalamic centre activated by
warmth
