Thermoregulation Flashcards
All 5 cards in this deck
What is the normal core body temperature of a human?
About C.
Why must body temperature be kept close to C?
It is the optimum temperature for enzymes; if the body gets too hot enzymes denature, and if too cold reactions become too slow.
Which part of the brain is the thermoregulatory centre?
The hypothalamus — it monitors the temperature of the blood.
What is the role of the epidermis in thermoregulation?
It is the outer layer: sweat reaches the surface through pores in it and evaporates, and hairs on it can trap an insulating layer of air.
What are the steps in the body's response to becoming too hot?
e.g. exercising on a hot day
- The hypothalamus detects a rise in blood temperature.
- Sweat glands in the dermis release more sweat and vasodilation occurs.
- Thermal energy is lost by evaporation and radiation, so body temperature falls back to C.