Thermoregulation

• What does the body's thermoregulatory system enable?

  It enables homeostatic responses to temperature changes
• What happens during exercise?

  The metabolic rate can increase dramatically and this increase in energy consumption raises body temperature significantly
• How does the body tackle this?

  Via the hypothalamus, the body's thermostat
• What does the hypothalamus contain?

  The central point within the body for temperature regulation
• What does the group of specialized neurons at the base of the brain help?

  regulate body temperature within a narrow band around 37 degrees
• What does the hypothalamus receive?

  Generous blood supply allowing it to monitor body temperature and initiate a response when temperature changes
• The body looses heat through the combination of?

  Convection, Conduction, Radiation and Evaporation
• What is convection?

  The process of water or air flowing over the skin and carrying away body heat
• What is Conduction?

  Involves heat moving from or to the body from its surrounding air. The faster cooler air moves around the body, the greater the quantity of heat that is conducted from the body
• What is radiation?

  The transfer of heat from one object to another without contact
• What is evaporation?

  Water vaporization lost through breathing or sweating transfers heat from the body to the surrounding enviroment