Thermoregulation

Question 1

What is thermoregulation?

Answer 1

• The control of our internal body temperature

Question 2

What temperature must our body be kept at?

Answer 2

• Our internal body temperature must be kept at 37 C
• This is the optimum temperature for enzymes

Question 3

How is our temperature regulated?

Answer 3

• Our temperature is regulated via the thermoregulation centre in the hypothalamus
• We have loads of receptors in our skin and blood vessels which give information regarding our temperature to the hypothalamus

Question 4

What does our body do in order to warm up?

Answer 4

• We must conseve heat and also generate more
• Constrict our blood vessels (vasoconstriction) so less heat is lost to the surroundings
• Contract erector muscles (goosebumps) to trap a layer of insulating air
• We shiver: energy required for automatic contraction and relaxing of muscles is gained through cellular respiration. Heat energy is produced as a waste product which heats us up

Question 5

What does our body do to cool down?

Answer 5

• Erector muscles relax
• Blood vessels expand (vasodilation) so more heat is lost to surroundings
• We sweat: takes heat energy away when sweat evaporates