Explain the mechanism of temperature regulation, Biology

Assignment Help:

Any significant variation in the internal temperature could have damaging effects on the body's enzymes. Homeotherms or warm-blooded animals including human can however generate conserve heat in a certain range within the body and are therefore mainly independent of environmental temperature. Heat can be gained or lost from the body in four ways.

Radiation -transfer of heat to or from the body to other objects via the air

Conduction- transfer of heat to or from the body by direct contact with another object, radiator or window

Convection- transfer of heat to or from the body via moving air

Evaporation- the loss of heat used to change water from a liquid to a vapour e.g. when water leaves the skin surface or gas exchange system.

Body temperature is controlled by the thermo-regulatory centre in the hypothalamus, the hypothalamus in the brain acts as a thermostat and is sensitive to changes in blood temperature. If the temperature of the blood entering the hypothalamus falls, it sends impulses to organ causing them to reduce heat loss. The reverse happens if the temperature of the blood entering the hypothalamus rises. The temperature of the hypothalamus can be taken by placing a temperature probe down the outer ear so that it touches the eardrum. Periodically the person drank a quantity of ice cold water, the internal body temperature dropped.

Behavioral control of the body temperature although humans show many physiological changes when the environmental temperature varies , behavior also plays an important part in maintaining a constant body temperature, in cold weather we eat more put more clothing on and haggle together, in hot weather we take off layers of clothing  we drink more and have cold shower.

Response to heat gain sweating evaporates using heat from the skin, the skin is in contact with the environment and is therefore essential in thermoregulation in very cold conditions the body must minimize its heat lost, this has a cooling effect sweat glands extracts more fluid from the blood. Reaction of hairs on the skin hair erector muscle relaxed therefore the hair lies flat. Very little air is trapped so little insulation provided. Vasodilation and dilation of shunt vessels more blood in the circulation blood which is stored in the liver and spleen is released into the circulation. More blood therefore reaches the skin surface, therefore more heat is lost.


Related Discussions:- Explain the mechanism of temperature regulation

Into which classes is the phylum annelida divided, Q. Into which classes is...

Q. Into which classes is the phylum Annelida divided? The phylum is divided into three classes: hirudineans (e.g., leeches), oligochaetes (for example, earthworms) and polychae

Lumpy skin disease, L u mp y skin disease The disease, reported from...

L u mp y skin disease The disease, reported from Sudan in 1970 and Egypt in 1988, is caused by a member of the Capripox virus. It affects cattle and is restricted to African

Dietary recommendations in celiac disease, Q. Dietary Recommendations in ce...

Q. Dietary Recommendations in celiac disease? The only dietary treatment for celiac disease is to follow a gluten-free diet. For most such a diet improves symptoms, heals inte

Water to flow within the xylem from the roots to the leaves, What are the f...

What are the forces that facilitate to make water to flow within the xylem from the roots to the leaves? Water enters the roots because of the root pressure and a water column

Agro industrial-enrichment of soil, Enrichment of soil Indirect provis...

Enrichment of soil Indirect provision of minerals to grazing livestock includes mineral fertilization of  pasture and altering soil pH, however this may not be always feasible

Define metabolic activity and cell constituents, Define Metabolic Activity ...

Define Metabolic Activity and Cell Constituents? Metabolic activity like amount of acid produced or CO 2 produced is directly proportional to the number of bacteria present, s

Skeletal system, why does each muscle need an antagonistic partner

why does each muscle need an antagonistic partner

Explain methods and vectors, Match each of the methods or vectors below to ...

Match each of the methods or vectors below to an appropriate form of gene therapy, assigning two methods or vectors to each form. Use each method or vector only once. Methods/v

What are the difference between plasma membrane, Q. What are the difference...

Q. What are the difference between plasma membrane and cell wall? Plasma membrane and cell wall is not the same thing. Plasma membrane, also known as cell membrane, is the exte

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd