REGULATION OF BODY TEMERATURE Flashcards
What does ‘Homeothermic’ mean?
Homeothermic: capable of maintaining body temperature
within very narrow limits
Describe what it means to be homeothermic wrt humans
- -Relative constant high core body temperature (~37oC)
- -Frees Biochemical reaction
- -Precise regulatory mechanism
- -Highly elevated temperature leads to nerve malfunction, protein denaturation etc.
- -Upper limit ~43oC
What is used as an estimate of core temperature?
(core = internal organs)
-Rectal temperature
the temperature of the body that reflects most accurately that of the cores is where?
the esophagus (at the cardia)
Normal Body Temperature (Core) can vary due to: (2) name and describe
-EXOGENOUS FACTORS: Internal temperature can vary few degrees depending on activity patterns and external temperature
-ENDOGENOUS FACTORS: (e.g., progesterone) can increase body temperature
WRT exogenous agents, what are some of the variations that can take place?
- climatogical environment
- peripheral insulation
- diet
- physical activity
- drugs
What are some normal core endogenous temperatures?
- circadian rhythms
- gender
- age and body size
- subcutaneous insulation
- water content
- psychological state
- How is heat lost or gained?
- metabolism
- radiation
- conduction
- convection
Total energy expenditure equals what?
Internal heat produced +External work performed +Energy stored
What are channels of heat transfer?
- conduction
- convection
- radiation
- evaporation
Define radiation
Heat transmitted via emitted electromagnetic waves (infrared heat rays). All objects emits radiation.
Define conduction
Heat transfer by conduction occurs within a solid or between two or more solids in close contact.
wrt clothing (dry or wet) which increases heat loss
wet clothing increases conduction of heat -increase heat loss
Define convection
Heat transfer by convection occurs in a fluid or between a fluid (gas) and a solid, providing a temperature gradient exist
describe the difference between conduction and convection
Differs from conduction in that the fluid or gas can be moving and therefore heat is not only transferred but displaced.
Describe how Convection currents work. What influences them?
carries away saturated air layer near skin
(influenced by the thickness of the thermal boundary).
Define evaporation
Heat transfer occurs by means of a change in state, from a liquid to a gas.