Thermoregulation and homestasis

• What is homeostasis?

  The maintenance of a constant internal environment
• What are two examples of homeostasis in the body?

  Control of body temperature and control of blood glucose
• What are the two main homeostatic mechanisms discussed?

  1. Control of body temperature (thermoregulation)
  2. Control of blood glucose concentration
• What is thermoregulation?

  The process of controlling body temperature

  
• What part of the brain contains the thermoregulatory center?

  The hypothalamus
• What does the hypothalamus monitor and control?

  Body temperature
• What type of receptors does the hypothalamus contain?

  Receptors sensitive to the temperature of the blood
• How does the skin contribute to thermoregulation?

  The skin has temperature receptors that send nervous impulses to the hypothalamus

  
• What is the role of effectors in thermoregulation?

  Effectors respond to nerve impulses from the hypothalamus to maintain body temperature
• What happens during shivering?

  Muscles contract and relax quickly, producing heat

  
• How does hair standing up help with thermoregulation?

  It traps a layer of warm air next to the skin, acting as an insulator

  
• What is vasoconstriction?

  The narrowing of arterioles supplying blood to the skin surface
• What is the effect of vasoconstriction on heat loss?

  It decreases blood flow to the skin surface, reducing heat loss

  
• How does sweating help regulate body temperature?

  Sweat evaporates, taking heat energy and cooling the body

  
• What happens to hair during vasodilation?

  Hair lies flat on the skin, allowing heat to radiate from the body

  
• What is the role of shunt vessels in thermoregulation?

  Shunt vessels redirect blood flow to maintain body temperature
• What are the components of the thermoregulation process?

  • Stimulus: Change in body temperature
  • Receptor: Temperature receptors in the hypothalamus and skin
  • Coordinator: Hypothalamus
  • Effector: Muscles, sweat glands, blood vessels
  • Response: Adjustments to maintain body temperature

  
• What is the response of the body during vasodilation?

  Blood vessels supplying the skin widen, increasing blood flow
• What is the effect of vasodilation on heat loss?

  It increases blood flow to the skin surface, allowing more heat to be lost