Thermoregulation Flashcards
Fever
Above 38°C
Hypothermia
Below 36°C
Why are both a fever and hypothermia dangerous?
They both affect how the body’s enzymes work
Thermoregulation
The control of body temperature
Hypothalamus
Part of the brain responsible for regulating body temperature
What do receptors in the hypolthalamus do?
Detect changes in blood and brain temperature
Other than its own receptors, from where does the hypothalamus receive information?
Receptors in the dermis of the skin
Name 3 things the body does when it detects a cold environment
Shivering
Contraction of erector muscles (makes hair stand upright)
Reduction of blood flow near the skin
Shivering
When muscles start to contract and relax rapidly.
Some energy released from cell respiration warms you up.
Hairs stand upright
Erector muscles in dermis of the skin stand upright.
Traps air next to the skin for insulation.
What is the purpose of blood flow reduction near the skin?
Keeps warm blood deeper inside the body so energy is not transferred to the air.
Name 2 things the body does when it detects a hot environment
Sweating
Increased blood flow near the skin
Expain how sweating cools you down
Sweat spreads out over the epidermis where it evaporates. Sweat transfers energy from skin to surroundings by heating.
How does increased blood flow near skin help thermoregulation?
Easier for blood to transfer energy to the air
Why do we go red when hot?
Because of increased blood flow near the skin.
Vasoconstriction
Narrowing of blood vessels
Vasodilation
Widening of blood vessels
When does vasoconstriction happen? And why?
When cold because it reduces blood flow near the surface of the skin to prevent loss of energy
When does vasodilation happen? And why?
When hot because it increases blood flow near the surface of the skin to increase the transfer of energy to the surroundings
Thermoregulation is an example of … feedback
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