2.77b) Thermoregulation

Controlling body temperature

Components of skin which controls body temperature

Sweat gland

Capillary network - allows blood to move closer of further away from the surface of the skin 

If the body temperature increases, the input to the hypothalamus stimulate responses in the skin which bring about cooling, such as sweating or the flow of blood to the surface of the skin increases. Blood vessel dilates and increase the exchange of heat to the outside of the body by processes such as sweat and vasodilation. This results in cooling of the blood.

- Sweating

- Vasodilation

- Hairs flat

--> decrease body temperature

In the cold environment, out body temperature will fall and hypothalamus brings about regulations in increase of body temperature

- Shivering

- Vasoconstriction

- Hairs raised

--> increase body temperature

Efficiency of the system responding to stimuli--> how far it deviates from the fixed point