Control of body temperature (triple only) Flashcards
Name the area of the brain which monitors and controls body temperature
Thermoregulatory centre in the medulla
Where are temperature receptors found?
Skin
How do the thermoreceptors communicate with the
thermoregulatory centre in the brain?
Elecrical impulses
The diagram shows the changes that occur in the skin when the body is too ….
Cold
The diagram shows the changes that occur in the skin
when the body is too ….
Hot
Explain how body temperature is reduced if it rises too high
Blood vessels in the skin dilate (vasodilation)
More blood travels to skin surface
Sweat is produced by sweat glands
Cause energy to be released from the body to the environment
How does sweat reduce body temperature?
Sweat released onto skin surface
Water absorbs heat from the body
Water converted into wter vapour
Heat is removed from the body
Explain how the body responds if the body temperature decreases
Blood vessels constrict (vasoconstriction)
Les blood travels to the skin surface
Sweating stops
Skeletal muscles contract (shiver)
How does vasoconstriction increase body temperature?
Caillaries in skin become narrower
Less blood flows to skin surface
Reduces heat loss to the environemnt
How does vasodilation reduce body temperature?
Caillaries in skin become wider
More blood flows to skin surface
Blood loses heat to the enviroment
Body temperature is reduced
How is information sent from the skin temperature receptors to the brain?
Electrical impulses
Hairs on the skin stand upright when the body temperature decreases.
How does this response reduce heat loss?
Hairs trap layer of air around the body
Air is a good insulator
