Mechanisms Involved in Thermoregulation Report 2022

Running head: MECHANISM INVOLVED IN THERMOREGULATION 1
Mechanisms Involved in Thermoregulation
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Introduction
Thermoregulation is the process by which the body maintains a normal core body
temperature at all times despite changes in the external environment. The mechanisms involved
are made to bring the body into a state of homeostasis. The average body temperature ranges
between 36.5⁰C- 37.5⁰C and has to be maintained at all times to enable the normal functioning of
body cells. Extreme temperatures in the external environment directly affect the body's
temperature; hence mechanisms have to be employed to ensure average core temperatures
despite climate changes. The hypothalamus is the thermoregulatory center in the brain. It detects
changes in internal temperature hence transfers signals to relevant organs, muscles, nervous
systems, and glands to correct the change in temperature. Some factors can interfere with core
temperatures. A fever, digestion of food, or exercise can raise body temperatures while, drugs,
use of alcohol or metabolic conditions can lower body temperatures. In the case scenario
provided, an athlete Is traversing different environmental conditions and performing various
activities. The athlete has a role in planning himself on the food, clothes water intake, stress
management, and train him to complete the task successfully.
The homeostatic control system has three components, namely the receptor, control
center, and the effector. The effector detects a change in environmental conditions, transfers
them to the control center in the brain, which is the hypothalamus to determine the response then
communicate with the effector, which carries out the response as in the diagram below.

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The system is made of two communication systems; the nervous system and the
endocrine system. The nerves have a connection to all parts of the body and gather information
transforming it into the brain. They control muscle movements such as walking, digestion, and
shivering. They collect data from a stimulus, such as changes in body temperature and send
impulses to the brain. The endocrine system works through the use of hormones to maintain
homeostasis. They act by binding to receptor sites inside a cell to initiate an action. The response
to environmental fluctuations is essential so as the body can maintain normal body functions
despite the changes in the environment. The body has enzymes that work well under optimum
temperature; a higher temperature leads to denaturing of the proteins and destruction of cell walls
hence affecting metabolic processes. Extremes of temperature can lead to heatstroke, cardiac
arrest, or even death.
Thermoregulation involves a negative feedback mechanism. Negative feedback produces
an opposite response to the output. In temperature regulation; when the temperature exceeds
normal ranges, the thermoreceptors in the skin send impulses to the hypothalamus. The
hypothalamus stimulates the blood smooth muscles on the surface, leading to vasodilation.