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Homeostasis & Body Temperature. National 4 &5 – Multicellular Organisms. Saving energy?. James has decided to save energy by staying in bed all day. How much of his energy do you think this will save?. Surprisingly, the answer is only about 30%.
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Homeostasis & Body Temperature National 4 &5 – Multicellular Organisms
Saving energy? James has decided to save energy by staying in bed all day. How much of his energy do you think this will save? Surprisingly, the answer is only about 30%. The other 70% keeps his body temperature at 37°C, and the solutions around his cells at just the right concentration.
Learning Outcomes By the end of this lesson, you will be able to: Explain the term homeostasis Explain why the body needs to maintain a constant core temperature Explain some of the corrective mechanisms involved in temperature control
What is homeostasis? The body uses so much energy, because it must maintain a constant internal environment. This process of keeping things the same is called homeostasis. A series of automatic control systems ensures the body maintains a constant temperature - and steady levels of water, ions and blood sugar. Homeostasis allows the body’s cells to work at their optimum.
Why control temperature? Environmental temperature is constantly changing. Despite this, the body must be kept at a constant temperature of 37°C. Why 37oC? - this is the optimum temperature for the body’s enzymes. If body temperature falls too low - reactions become too slow for cells to survive If body temperature rises too high - the body’s enzymes are at risk of denaturing.
What is core body temperature? The vital organs, such as the heart, liver and kidneys, are maintained at 37°C. This is the core body temperature. Skin temperature is usually lower than the core body temperature. On a warm day, skin temperature may be just 1°C lower than the core body temperature - but on a very cold day it could be up to 9°C lower.
Finding the right balance Core temperature is maintained by balancing heat gain and heat loss. This is called thermoregulation How can heat be gained? - movement and exercise - shivering - vasoconstriction - wearing extra clothing How can heat be lost? - sweating - vasodilation - removing extra clothing
How is temperature controlled? hypothalamus Body temperature is monitored and controlled by temperature receptors in the skin and brain. These receptors detect changes in the temperature of blood. The thermoregulatory centre in the brain is called the hypothalamus. If body temperature deviates from 37°C, the hypothalamus sends out electrical signals - these trigger actions or behaviours that increase or decrease heat loss.
Response to change in body temperature Overheating: Sweating rate increases Vasodilation - increased blood flow to skin surface Overcooling: Sweating rate decreases Vasoconstriction - decreased blood flow to skin surface Contraction of skin erector muscles (“goosebumps”) - traps a layer of air next to skin Shivering - muscles generate heat Increased metabolic rate e.g. liver
