homeostasis - controlling body temperature Flashcards
(10 cards)
Why would we want to keep our body temperature almost constant/the same?
If our internal body temperature remains at 37 C, then our enzymes can work efficiently and metabolic reactions can happen despite the environmental conditions outside the body. This means that animals that can regulate their body temp. can also stay active, while some are too cold to move.
Imagine we have a cross section of someones skin. What would be on the top?
The skin is covered on the top with a layer of dead cells, which form a tough, impermeable barrier that prevents water loss and pathogens from entering.
How is sweat formed in skin?
Sweat glands (in skin) extract water and ions from the blood and produce sweat. Sweat then travels up a sweat duct and released through a pore on the top.
What are venules and arterioles, and what are their purposes?
Venules (small vein) and arterioles (small artery). Arterioles bring oxygenated blood to the skin and divide into capillaries to bring it to the surface of the skin. (remember: left side (ox) - comes from lungs - goes to body). The capillaries join back up to form venules, and head back to the heart.
There are 2 types of receptors near the skins surface. What are they?
Temperature (sends electrical impulses) and pressure
What is underneath all the structures within the skin?
A layer of fat, which is made up of cells that contain large drops of oil. It insulates and acts as an energy reserve.
What is the hypothalamus?
The part of the brain that is involved with controlling body temperature (it coordinates parts of the body that keeps the temperature at its set point)
What does the hypothalamus do if your body temperature is above/below 37C?
It has temperature receptors that detect the temp of the blood, and sends electrical impulses along neurones, to the arts if the body which regulate your body temp.
So, what are our 2 sets of temp. receptors?
In the hypothalamus: to sense temp. of blood
In the surface of the skin: to sense the temp. of the air/water around us.
Why? These can give our body a warning that the body temp. might change, so our body can prevent it even before our blood changes temperature.
