(P2)Homeostasis

Question 1

What does thermoregulation do and what is it controlled by?

Answer 1

It keeps core body temperature steady at around 37C. It is controlled by the thermoregulatory centre in the hypothalamus of the brain. It contains receptors which at sensitive to the temp of the blood

Question 2

What do hair muscles do to maintain a regular temp?

Answer 2

Contract when cold to pull the hair upright, trapping an insulating layer of air. When warm, hair lies flat

Question 3

How does the body cool itself down?

Answer 3

Sweating - sweat glands in dermis release sweat onto epidermis, evaporates, cools down body
Vasodilation - blood vessels dilate so blood is closer to the surface of the skin, meaning more heat is transferred to the surroundings

Question 4

How does the body warm itself up?

Answer 4

Muscles quickly contract and relax (shivering), releasing energy to warm the body
Vasoconstriction - blood vessels constrict which reduces the blood flow to the capillaries, meaning that less heat is transferred to the surroundings

Question 5

How does the pancreas get blood glucose levels back to normal if it is too high?

Answer 5

Pancreas detects rise
Increases secretion of insulin, decreases glucagon
Insulin causes muscles and liver cells to remove glucose from blood and store it as glucagon