Controlling Body Temperature

• What is the thermoregulatory centre?

  • Located in the brain
  • Contains receptors which are sensitive to temperature
• How is body temperature controlled?

  • Temperature receptors detect that core body temperature is too high/low
  • The thermoregulatory centre acts as a coordination centre and triggers effectors automatically
  • Effectors produce a response
• What does the body do when you're too hot?

  • Hairs lie flat
  • Sweating
  • Vasodilation
• What does the body do when you're too cold?

  • Hairs stand up as a protective layer
  • No sweat
  • Vasoconstriction
  • Shivering
• What is vasodilation?

  Blood vessels dilate so more blood flows and transfers energy from the skin to the surroundings
• What is vasoconstriction?

  Blood vessels constrict so bloody supply is closed off.