5.2.13

Control of Body Temperature

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Thermoregulation (Control of Body Temperature)

Our body temperature needs to be kept as close to 37°C as possible. Receptors detect temperature changes and relay the information to the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS then allows effectors (muscles or glands) to respond:

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Receptors on the skin

  • Receptors on the surface of the skin monitor the temperature at the surface of the body.
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Receptors in the brain

  • Receptors in the thermoregulatory centre of our brain (called the hypothalamus) monitor the internal body temperature as blood flows through the brain.

Thermoregulation

Our body temperature needs to be kept as close to 37°C as possible. If your body is:

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Too hot

  • Sweat is released from sweat glands under the skin.
  • Hairs lie flat.
  • Blood vessels dilate to allow more blood to enter capillaries that pass close to the skin surface (vasodilation).
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Too cold

  • Muscle contractions increase, causing shivering.
  • Hairs stand on end.
  • Blood vessels constrict to reduce blood flow in capillaries (vasoconstriction).

Jump to other topics

1Cell Biology

1.1What's in Cells?

1.2Cell Division

1.3Transport in Cells

2Organisation

2.1Principles of Organisation

2.2Enzymes

2.3Circulatory System

2.4Non-Communicable Diseases

2.5Plant Tissues, Organs & Systems

3Infection & Response

4Bioenergetics

5Homeostasis & Response

5.1Homeostasis

5.2The Human Nervous System

5.3Hormonal Coordination in Humans

5.4Plant Hormones

6Inheritance, Variation & Evolution

7Ecology

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