5.1.4

• hypothalamus - part of brain that coordinates homeostatic responses
• Thermoregulations

  how animals regulate body temperature

  • thermoregulation is crucial as it helps to maintain the body at optimal

  → some animals live in thermostable environments and have to do very little to maintain body temperature

  • endotherms generate most of their heat metabolically ; as they are in warmer areas they tend to….

  adaptations for heat conservations include

  • insulation - insulation layers of fat, fur or feathers to prevent heat
  • metabolism - metabolic rate can be varied to generate more or less heat
• table 1

  A) insulation

  B) erect

  C) vasoconstriction

  D) blood

  E) less

  F) contractions

  G) heat

  H) Dilation

  I) Constriction

  J) vasodilation

  
• 2 major kingdoms

  Ectothermy

  Endothermy
• how endotherms detect body temperature :

  • hypothalamus - blood passes through the centre in the brain + controls temperature through a negative feedback loop
  • peripheral temperature receptors - temperature receptors at the skin surface allow a rapid response

  → these feed to the hypothalamus, which can lead to behavioural mechanisms to maintain body temperature
• Advantages + Disadvantages

  • constant internal environment independent of external environment
  • wider range of habitats to inhabitat
  • can remain active in all seasons + parts of the day
  • need more food as process requires significantly ATP potential to overheat