thermoregulation

• Thermoregulation

  The control of our internal body temperature
• Why we need to regulate temperature

  • Allows our cells to function properly
  • 37 degrees Celsius is the perfect temperature for our enzymes to function
• Thermoregulatory sensor

  Part of the hypothalamus within our brain that acts as a thermostat for our body
• Receptors that detect changes in body temperature

  • Found mostly in the skin and blood vessels
  • Constantly send information about temperature to the thermoregulatory sensor
• Warming up mechanisms

  1. Vasoconstriction (constrict blood vessels near skin surface)

  2. Contract erector muscles (hair stands on end)

  3. Shiver (muscles contract automatically)
• Vasoconstriction


  Less blood flows near the surface, less heat energy is lost
• Erector muscles


  Trapping a small layer of insulating air to prevent heat loss
• Shivering


  Muscle contraction requires energy from respiration, releasing heat as waste
• Cooling down mechanisms


  1. Vasodilation (blood vessels expand)

  2. Produce sweat (evaporation takes heat energy away)
• Vasodilation

  More warm blood passes close to skin surface, allowing more heat transfer
• Sweating

  Evaporation of sweat takes heat energy from the body
• The brain uses the thermoregulatory sensor to figure out if we're too hot or too cold, and sends signals to warm us up or cool us down accordingly