IGCSE Biology glossary
Thermoregulation
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Definition
The maintenance of a constant core body temperature despite changes in the external environment. In humans, this involves responses controlled by the hypothalamus in the brain, including vasoconstriction, vasodilation, sweating and shivering.
What to include in an exam answer
Know the specific responses: in cold conditions, vasoconstriction (less blood near skin surface, less heat loss), shivering (muscle contractions generate heat), and erector muscles raise body hairs. In hot conditions, vasodilation (more blood near surface, more heat loss), sweating (evaporation removes heat energy).
Example in context
Explain how the body responds to a decrease in external temperature (4 marks): The hypothalamus detects the drop in blood temperature. Arterioles in the skin undergo vasoconstriction, reducing blood flow near the skin surface and decreasing heat loss by radiation. Skeletal muscles shiver, generating heat from respiration. Erector muscles contract, raising body hairs to trap an insulating layer of air.
Related syllabus topic
Coordination & responseRelated terms
- Homeostasis
- Negative feedback
- Tropism
- Reflex arc
- ADH
- Insulin
- Glucagon
- Adrenaline
- Synapse
- Neurone
- Sensory neurone
- Motor neurone
- Relay neurone
- Receptor
- Effector
- Cornea
- Iris
- Lens
- Retina
- Optic nerve
- Accommodation
- Type 1 diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes
- Hormones
- Endocrine gland
- Auxin
- Vasoconstriction
- Vasodilation
- Sweating