Homeostasis - thermoregulation

Biology, Human and Animal Biology, Age 11-14, Age 14-16

Animated presentation explaining thermoregulation - the control of body temperature. Covers volume to surface area ratio, sweating, vasodilation, vasoconstriction and piloerection. 12 slides


1 Homeostasis >Thermoregulationhttp://teachable.net/res.asp?r=1442What is thermoregulation?
> The control of body temperatureAll mammals maintain a constant body temperature.
Human beings have a body temperature of around 37 C.
Because your body has ways of controlling its temperature this stays the same whether you are in a hot environment or a cold environment.3What affects heat loss?
> Volume : surface area ratio610121:61:54What affects heat loss?
> Volume : surface area ratioFor every 1 unit of heat made heat is lost from 6 sidesFor every 1 unit of heat made heat is lost from 5 sidesThe bigger the volume : surface area ratio the faster heat loss will be
So animals with a large surface area in proportion to their volume will lose heat faster.5How does the body stay cool?
> SweatingWhen you are hot sweat glands are stimulated to release sweat.
Heat energy from your skin is used to turn the liquid sweat into gas - sweat evaporates.
Because heat is lost your skin