Thermoregulation Flashcards
What is a homeotherm?
An organism which maintains a constant internal temperature regardless of the external influence
What is a poikilotherm?
An organism whose internal temperature changes with ambient temperature
What is heat a result of?
A by-product of metabolism
How do homeothermic animals regulate a constant internal temperature?
Regulate rate of heat produced and heat loss to control the overall body temperature
There are limits to thermoregulatory mechanisms and two issues can arise if the temperature is too high or too low, what are these?
Too high - hyperthermia
Too low - hypothermia
What is hypothermia?
Abnormally low body temperature
What is hyperthermia?
Dangerously high body temperature
Why is thermoregulation important?
For cellular function - homeostasis ensures optimal temperature for cellular metabolism
What is the normal body temperature?
37 degrees
List five factors which would affect the normal body temperature
- diurnal variation
- menstrual cycle
- exercise
- age
- ambient temperature
What is diurnal variation?
the variation between a high temperature and a low temperature that occurs during the same day
At what temperatures would you die? Max and min please lol
max would be 43ish and min would be 26 degrees
What occurs when the the body overheats?
Nerve malfunction and protein denaturation
At what temperature would there be body convulsions?
41 degrees
What temperature is the upper limit compatible with life?
43.3 degrees
What occurs when the body cools?
The metabolic activity decreases but the tissues may withstand transient substantial cooling
Overheating is considered more serious than cooling, true or false?
True
The body temperature differs between which two regions?
The core body temperature differs from the shell temperature
What is included in the core body temperature? Which regions?
The CNS, abdominal and thoracic cavities
How would you describe the temperature regulation and general temperature of the core regions?
Precisely regulated and the highest temperature between the to, roughly 37.8 degrees
What regions are included within the shell temperature|?
Skin and subcutaneous fat, and basically the outer parts lol
What temperature range does the shell temperature fluctuate between?
Around 20 degrees to 40 degrees
How is heat exchanged between the core and the shell regions of the body?
By blood homie x
What is required for the heat in the body to be balanced, this is basically a btec question.
The heat input must equal the heat output
Where may you gain heat from?
Internal heat production and the external environment
Where may you lose heat to?
To the environment
If the heat input and heat output is not equal, we have a disruption of the
HEAT BALANCE (btec question once again, sorry)
What are the four mechanisms of heat transfer?
Radiation, conduction, convection and evaporation
Describe what radiation is?
The emission of heat energy from the surface of a warm body via em waves
If the skin temperature is greater than the environmental temperature what occurs via radiation?
Heat is lost to the surroundings - so it cools the bod down a bit basically
Describe what the mechanism of heat transfer conduction involves?
The transfer of heat between two objects in direct contact
What two factors does heat transfer via conduction depend on?
On the temperature difference and the conductivity of the objects
Describe the process of convection
It is the transfer of heat by air/ water currents. The heat is conducted to the air immediately next to the skin
What is a convection current?
Warm air rises and is replaced by cool air,