thermoregulation

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  • Thermoregulation
    • When you're too cold - Vasoconstriction
      • Skeletal muscles contract and we shiver
        • These contractions need energy for respiration, and some of this is released as heat
          • Nerve impulses are sent to the hair erector muscles in the dermis, which contract
            • This raises the skin hairs and traps a layer of insulating air
    • When you're too hot - Vasodilation
      • Sweat glands in the dermis release more sweat
        • The sweat evaporates, transferring energy from the skin to the environment
    • 37 degrees is the temperature that enzymes work best in
      • If body temperature gets too high, the enzymes denature and become less effective at catalysing reactions such as respiration
        • This process is controlled by the thermoregulatory centre in the brain
          • Contains receptors sensitive to the temperature of the blood
            • The hypothalamus responds to this information by sending nerve impulses to effectors in the skin to maintain body temperature.

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