temperature

Question 1

what does homeothermic mean

Answer 1

maintain a relatively constant core body temperature in situations of fluctuating environmental temperature

Question 2

where does the body get information from to remain homeothermic

Answer 2

the skin (information about external temperature)
CNS
viscera

Question 3

where do the receptors transmit information to

Answer 3

hypothalamus + other areas of the brain
- there information is used to keep temperature constant

Question 4

what does the body do when it needs to be cooled

Answer 4

thermogenesis (processes that generate/ release heat)
processes that minimise heat loss -> sweating, vasodilation and increasing basal metabolic rate

Question 5

what does the body do when it needs to be warmed

Answer 5

involuntary responses -> shivering, piloerection, vasoconstriction
increase in the basal metabolic rate

Question 6

what is pyrexia

Answer 6

fever
occurs to a resetting of the thermostat in the hypothalamus
a person with a fever will still regulate their body temperature to the external environment

Question 7

what are the causes of pyrexia

Answer 7

infection
physical trauma
stress

Question 8

what is the mechanism of the fever

Answer 8

1- the body releases endogenous pyrogens
- IL-4 and IL-6 (from macrophages)
2- these pyrogens act on the hypothalamus by inducing local prostaglandin production
3- resets the hypothalamic set points
- results in the body working to achieve a higher internal temperature (e.g. shivering)

Question 9

what is the purpose of a fever

Answer 9

helps kill bacteria
higher rate of metabolism will produce a faster rate of healing
more rapid induction of defence mechanisms