Controlling Temperature

• What part of the brain controls temperature?

  Hypothalamus
• What happens to erector muscles when the hypothalamus detects heat?

  They relax, causing hairs to lie flat
• What is the effect of sweating on temperature regulation?

  It causes heat loss through evaporation
• How does sweating transfer energy from the skin?

  It transfers energy from skin to surroundings
• What physiological change occurs during vasodilation?

  Blood vessels widen to increase heat loss
• What is the result of vasodilation on blood flow?

  Increased blood flow to the skin
• What happens to blood vessels during cooling?

  They constrict to reduce heat loss
• How does blood flow change when the body is too cold?

  Less blood flows to the skin surface
• What is the effect of shivering on body temperature?

  It generates heat to warm the body
• What role does respiration play in temperature regulation?

  It transfers energy to warm the body
• What are the mechanisms of temperature control in the body?

  • Hypothalamus detects temperature changes
  • Erector muscles relax or contract
  • Sweating cools the body through evaporation
  • Vasodilation increases blood flow to the skin
  • Vasoconstriction reduces blood flow to conserve heat
  • Shivering generates heat through muscle activity
  • Respiration transfers energy to warm the body