Control of body temperature

• where is body temperature controlled in the body?

  by thermoregulatory centre in the hypothalamus of the brain
• how is temperature monitored by the body

  • thermoregulatory centre has receptors sensitive to blood temperature
  • skin has receptors sensitive to skin temperature - sends impulses to thermoregulatory centre
• what physiological changes occur when the body temperature is too high?

  • vasodilation - blood vessels near the surface of the skin dilate, more heat is radiated away
  • sweating - evaporation of water takes away heat energy from the surface of the skin
• what physiological changes occur when the body temperature is too low?

  vasoconstriction - blood vessels near the surface of the skin constrict, less heat is radiated away

  shivering - respiration allows muscles to contract, exothermic so heat energy is released

  sweating stops