lesson 6 how we control our body temperature Flashcards
thermoregulation is what
the control of our internal body temperature
our body has to be always kept around what temperature
37 degrees celcius
37 degrees celcius is the perfect temperature for what
our enzymes to function
if we are below 37 degrees celcius the enzymes do what
start to slow down in acitivity
if we are above 37 degrees celcius the enzymes do what
they start to denature
(cant work at all)
the thermoregulatory centre is part of which part of the brain
hypothalamus
the thermoregulatory centre acts as a what
a thermostat for our body
most receptors are found where
within our skin and blood vessels
by constantly sending information about our temperature about the thermoregulatory centre, the brain is able to figure out what
whether we are too hot or too cold
if the thermoregulatory centre decides that we are too hot, then it will do what
send out signals to cool us back down
(vice versa for the opposite)
in order to warm us up what do we have to do
conserve our heat and generate more
to conserve our heat, what do we do
we constrict the blood vessels that lie near surface basket
when we constrict the blood vessels that lie on the surface basket, this is known as what
vasoconstriction
vasoconstriction means what
less blood flows in the surface, so less heat energy is lost to our surroundings
we also contract what
our erector muscles which makes our hair stand on end
we trap a layer of what
insulating air
what does the layer of insulating air do
make it harder the heat to leave our skin
(helps to keep us warm)
to generate more body heat we also what
shiver
when we shiver what happens with the muscles
they contract automatically
automatic muscle contraction doesn’t generate heat but it does what
generates a lot of respiration
all the chemical reactants involved in the respiration result in what
a lot of heat energy being released in waste
(ends up warming us up)
to cool us down what do the erector muscles do
they relax
to cool us down our blood vessels do what
they expand
our blood vessels expand to cool us down, otherwise known as what
vasodilation
vasodilation allows what
more heat energy to be transferred to the surroundings
why is more heat energy being transferred to the surroundings
as lots of warm blood is passing close to the skins surface
to cool us down we also produce what
sweat
sweat is what
a mixture of water and salt that we release onto the surface of our skin
as sweat evaporates, what occurs
it takes heat energy from our body away with it
as it requires a lot of energy to evaporate water
