Topic 5 - Controlling Body Temperature

Question 1

What does the hypothalamus do?

Answer 1

It controls homeostasis and is the co-ordination centre of the body.

Question 2

Where are the receptors that detect a change in temperature?

Answer 2

In the thermoregulatory centre

Question 3

What does the body do when it detects that the body temperature is too low? (3 marks)

Answer 3

The temperature receptors recognises the temperature is too low.
Thermoregulatory centre receives information from temperature receptors and triggers the effectors.
The effectors produce a response.

Question 4

How do the effectors increase the body temperature. (4 marrks)

Answer 4

Blood vessels constrict to reduce the surface area of the blood vessels by closing the skin’s blood supply and reducing heat loss.
Hair muscles erect creating an insulating layer of heat.
Muscles contract which require respiration that produces glucose which produces energy that heats the body.
Sweat gland won’t produce any sweat.

Question 5

Explain how the body reacts to an increase in body temperature. (2 marks)

Answer 5

Blood vessels dilate increasing their surface area so it makes it closer to the skin therefore increasing heat loss.
Hair muscles relax.