Temperature Regulation in Animals
Body temperature regulation by the hypothalamus, such as by causing constriction or dilation of skin capillaries and by sweat production
Table of Contents
Control of Temperature in Homeotherms
Animals capable of temperature regulation within a given range are deemed homeotherms (alternatively homiotherms or homotherms). They have the ability to regulate temperature via negative feedback control.
Temperature is controlled in a variety of ways in these animals.
The hypothalamus once again acts as a receptor in regulation, by detecting fluctuations in temperature. These receptors are better known as thermoreceptors.
Skin also possesses thermoreceptors which can detect the temperature of the external environment. This information is relayed to the hypothalamus which can, in turn, transmit nerve impulses for corrective mechanisms to occur
Corrective Mechanisms in Temperature Control
Increased sweating is a corrective response aimed to reduce the temperature of the organism.
Vasodilation is a corrective response where the blood vessels close to the skin surface become more dilated, meaning there is a larger surface area for heat to be lost of the external environment from the blood vessel carrying over-heated blood.
Vasoconstriction is the opposite of this and occurs when temperatures in an organism drop. The blood vessels become constricted so that minimal heat loss occurs.
The hairs on your body also play an important role in temperature regulation. A corrective response can occur where the hairs ‘stand on end’, and trap a layer of air between the hair and the skin. This insulation of warmer air next to the skin reduces heat loss, while a thin layer of insulation would increase heat loss.
Other corrective mechanisms are involved, such as a drop in metabolic rate and shivering when temperatures drop.
The next tutorial looks at special species, such as indicator species and endangered species.
You will also like...
Takahē (Porphyrio hochstetteri)
Meet the colorful takahē, an extremely rare flightless bird. Find out more about its unique features and why they matte..
Muscle
Muscle cells are specialized to generate force and movement. Learn about the different types of muscle tissues in this t..
A Balanced Vitamin Diet – Vitamins A – K
A balanced diet is essential to a healthy organism. Insufficiency or too much of a particular element or compound, such ..
Human Perception – Neurology
This tutorial investigates perception as two people can interpret the same thing differently. Know more about human perc..
Sensory Systems
A sensory system is a part of the nervous system consisting of sensory receptors that receive stimuli from the internal ..
Role of Golgi Apparatus & Endoplasmic Reticulum in Protein Synthesis
The endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus are the organelles involved in the translation step of protein synthesis a..