Thermoregulation

• What is thermoregulation?

  Control of internal body temperature
• Why do we need to regulate our body temperature?

  To allow our cells to function properly
• Which part of the brain controls thermoregulation?

  The hypothalamus
• What does homeostasis refer to?

  Maintaining a stable internal environment
• What is the ideal body temperature for enzyme function?

  37 degrees Celsius
• What happens to enzymes if body temperature falls below 37 degrees Celsius?

  Their activity slows down
• What happens to enzymes if body temperature rises above 37 degrees Celsius?

  They start to denature
• What is the thermoregulatory sensor?

  A part of the hypothalamus acting as a thermostat
• How do receptors help in thermoregulation?

  They detect changes in body temperature
• Where are most temperature receptors found?

  In the skin and blood vessels
• What happens if the brain detects that the body is too hot?

  It sends signals to cool the body down
• What happens if the brain detects that the body is too cold?

  It brings about changes to warm the body up
• What mechanisms does the body use to warm up?

  • Vasoconstriction of blood vessels
  • Contraction of erector muscles
  • Shivering to generate heat
• What mechanisms does the body use to cool down?

  • Relaxation of erector muscles
  • Vasodilation of blood vessels
  • Sweating to evaporate heat
• What is vasoconstriction?

  Constriction of blood vessels near the skin
• How does shivering help in thermoregulation?

  It generates heat through muscle contraction
• What role does sweat play in cooling the body?

  It evaporates and takes heat away
• What is sweat composed of?

  A mixture of water and salts
• Why does evaporation of sweat cool the body?

  It requires energy, taking heat away
• What happens to erector muscles when the body is too hot?

  They relax and allow hairs to fall flat
• What happens to blood vessels when the body is too cold?

  They constrict to conserve heat
• How does the body maintain a stable temperature?

  Through thermoregulation mechanisms
• What is the main purpose of thermoregulation?

  To keep body temperature around 37 degrees Celsius