Homeostatis Flashcards
What is Thermoregulation
The control of body temperature at 37 degrees
Hypothermia
A body temperature below 36 degrees
What is the Hypothalamus
The part of the brain that monitors temperature
What is Vasoconstriction
constriction of capillaries, lessens blood flow to surface of the skin
What is Vasodilation
Widening of the capillaries, increases blood flow to surface of the skin, heat lost through radiation
Dermis
The layer of skin under the epidermis
What does shivering do
The muscles contract and relax rapidly releasing heat energy to tissues and blood, increasing body temperature
What is an erector muscle
They are muscles that contract and pull up hairs
What is the epidermis
The top layer of skin
Explain how thyroxine regulates metabolism
When blood thyroxine level is too low, the hypothalamus releases TRH, which stimulate the pituitary gland to release TSH which stimulated the release of thyroxine from the thyroid gland
When too high, the production of TRH is inhibited which reduces production of TSH which lowers thyroxine levels
What does Adrenaline do
Adrenaline binds to specific heart receptors which makes them contract more which increases blood flow
Adrenaline binds to liver receptors, causing the braking down of glycogen to release glucose
What is the definition for Homeostatis
Maintaining the right conditions inside your body so that everything works properly
What is the role of sweat in thermoregulation
Sweat glands release water onto the surface of the skin, which then evaporates removing heat from the body
Explain why the muscle attached to the hair follicle is important when a
person starts to feel cold.
the erector muscle raises the hair and traps air which acts as an insulator causing more heat to be retained in the body
Explain why the temperature of the human body needs to be maintained at 37 °C.
This is the optimum temperature for reactions and enzymes in the body, otherwise denaturing may occur
