thermoregulation Flashcards
what is the process of thermoregulation?
- maintaining a constant core body temperature
what is the definition of heat?
- energy that is transferred from an object at a higher temperature to a lower temperature object
- dependent on volume/ mass
what is the definition of temperature?
- quantitive measure of how hot/ cold an object is, or the intensity of heat in an object
- independent of mass/ volume
what is the definition of specific heat capacity?
- amount of heat energy it takes to change the temperature of different substances by same amount
- specific heat of water greater than others so generate more heat before body temp rises by 1 degree
describe endotherms
- heat is generated during metabolism
- don’t rely on energy of sunlight
e.g. humans
what is the percentage of energy wasted in physical activity compared to the amount that yields external work ?
- 75 to 80% wasted as heat
- 20 to 25% yields external work
what are humans described as?
- homeotherms as they maintain body temperatures within very narrow limits
describe the difference between body core temperature and body surface temperature
- body core temperature maintained within narrow limits whereas body surface temperature can vary
- body core temp does fluctuate e.g. eating, exercise
can periphery of our bodies fluctuate?
- yes because they contain less vital organs so no adverse effects
why are variations in surface temperature important?
- bodies detect environmental changes early and signal appropriate response
what is the normal body core temp and how is it maintained?
- 37 degrees maintained by hypothalamus as thermosensors in hypothalamus and skin send signals to effectors which carry out responses
describe link of body temp regulation to circadian rhythm
- circadian fluctuation in body core temp of 1 degree
when is body temp lowest/ highest? what other factor may affect the temperature?
- lowest during night
- highest during day
- seasonal rhythms
how does gender affect body tempersture?
- in women body core temperature is higher during the second half of menstrual cycle due to progesterone
describe evaporation
- loss of heat via sweating
- only way we lose heat to environment when temp is higher than body
describe convection
- movement of layer surrounding the skin
- direct contact between a body and surrounding fluid
describe conduction
- body can gain/ lose heat depending on temp of the adjacent surface
- type of materials that bodies consist of affects rate at which heat is transferred
describe radiation
- emission of heat in form of EM waves
- body can either absorb or emit heat depending on ambient conditions
what is the thermoneutral zone ?
- when we can maintain our homeostatic body temp through changes in vasomotor tone (vasodilation/ vasoconstriction)
- without energy expenditure/ external influence
when is there a minimum metabolic rate?
- when core temperature is within neutral zone
how is body temp maintained?
- balancing of heat gain and heat loss
describe effect of temperature being too cooled vs too warm
- too cooled= enzymatic reactions in bodies slow down so less mobile and at risk of losing consciousness
-too warm = enzymes at risk of denaturing and losing function
describe mechanisms for heat loss
- blood reaching the skin
- sweating
describe physiological control of heat loss
thermosensors> central command > adrenal medulla> blood vessels dilate> sweat glands secrete fluid> heat loss to environment> body temp normal