Thermoregulation Flashcards
What is thermoregulation
Process that allows the body to maintain its core internal temperature
What are thermoregulation mechanism designed to do
Return body to homeostasis
Animal internal temperature —-> senders in CNS sends messages to hypothalamus—-> responds sends signals to various organs and and systems in body which respond with
Various mechanisms
What does the body have a variety of mechanisms for
Allowing for warming and cooling
What is sweat production
Water given off intact skin. Thermoregulation body temperature.
Produced by sweat glands. Travels up sweat ducts. Travels out of sweat pores of skin surface.
How can sweat respond to temperature change
Sweat evaporates and takes body heat
Adrenal and thyroid glands secrete adrenaline and thyroxine which reduces metabolic rate and therefore heat generation
Stops sweating and alerting that body needs to cool off when animal has cooled down
What is the pilli erector muscles
Small muscles attached to hair follicles at one end and dermal tissue on the other
Smooth
How does pilli erector muscles respond to high temperature
Relax which lowers hair or feathers on skin so air can circulate. Allows for evaporation
How does pilli effector muscles respond to low temperatures
Contract causing hairs or feathers on skin to be raised
Traps layer of insulating air which reduces heat transfers from the skin
Moulting can help
What is seasonal plumage/ coat changes
Coat changes colour
Plumage changes throughout season
How does seasonal plumage/ coat changes respond to temperature change
Loose more feathers in summer
Less lost in winter
Coat is thinner in summer and thicker in winter
What is shivering, include brown adipose tissue
Body tries to warm itself
Boosts surface heat production
Brown adipose tissue is brown fat that keeps animals warm when cold
How does shivering respond to temperature change
Muscles contract and relax rapidly and cause heat to be produced by friction and respiration
Raises body temperature
What is metabolic rate
Where metabolism occurs
Amount of energy produced by an animal in a certain period of time
How does metabolic rate respond to temperature change
Metabolic rate gives of heat so can alter metabolic rate
