THERMOREGULATION

• Thermoregulation


  The control of our internal body temperature
• Thermoregulatory sensor


  • Part of the hypothalamus in the brain
  • Acts as a thermostat for the body
• Temperature receptors


  • Found in the skin and blood vessels
  • Detect changes in body temperature
• Warming up mechanisms


  1. Vasoconstriction

  2. Erector muscle contraction

  3. Shivering
• Vasoconstriction


  Constriction of blood vessels near the skin surface to conserve heat
• Erector muscle contraction


  Makes hairs stand on end to trap insulating air
• Shivering


  Automatic muscle contraction to generate heat through respiration
• Cooling down mechanisms


  1. Vasodilation

  2. Sweating
• Vasodilation


  Expansion of blood vessels to allow more heat transfer to the surroundings
• Sweating


  Release of water and salts onto the skin surface, which cools the body as the sweat evaporates