Question

Compare and contrast the physiological (nervous, endocrine, vascular, metabolic) responses triggered by hyperthermia & hypothermia, and how each response helps to maintain Homeothermy.

Answer 1

Body mainatains internal body temperature by negative feedback loop, these loops act to oppose the stimulus, that triggers them. For example, if your body temperature is too high, a negative feedback loop will act to bring it back down towards the target value, simlarily, vice-versa. when body temperature falls,.high temperature will be detected by sensors which are primarily the nerve cells with endings in your skin and brain and this is relayed to a temperature-regulatory control center in your brain, the hypothalamus. The control center will process the information and activate effectors,such as the sweat glands, blood vessels, hormones, whose job is to oppose the stimulus by bringing body temperature down. simlarily when temperature drops the reverse happens.

Hyperthermia or increase in body temperature :

Blood flow to your skin increases because of vasodilation to speed up heat loss into your surroundings, and you might also start sweating so the evaporation of sweat from your skin can help you cool off. Heavy breathing can also increase heat loss. In addition to this thyroid hormone secretion is reduced, because of which metabolism slows down and the body temperature decreases

Hypothermia or decrease in body temperature

The blood flow to your skin decreases because of vasoconstriction, and you might start shivering so that your muscles generate more heat,  the hair on your body stands on end and traps a layer of air near your skin,and increase the release of hormones that act to increase heat production.Thyroid hormone secretion is increased so that rate of metabolism increases so that body temperature increases.