Thermoregulation Flashcards
What is Homeostasis?
The maintenance of the internal environment in a constant state despite external changes
Why do we require a stable interior temperature?
For enzymes to work efficiently
What is the internal temperature of the human body ?
Roughly 37 degrees
What happens if you get too hot and internal temperature rises to 40?
You could get heat stroke and enzymes could denature and you could die
What happens if you get too cold and your internal temperature lowers to 35 degrees?
You could hyperthermia and your enzymes slow down to the point where they cannot effectively or efficiently carry out reactions causing possibly death
What is vasodilation?
When your blood vessels open up to radiate heat to cool down
What is Vasoconstriction?
When your blood vessels shrink to conserve heat
Why do you sweat?
To try cool down by using the water on your skin to evaporate the heat
Why does your hair stand up when youre cold?
To try to trap air and create an additional layer to conserve heat
Why do you shiver?
To try and generate heat by movement
