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Thermoregulation - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 14:04, 5 August 2008
, 14:04, 5 August 2008no edit summary
==Thermoregulation==
==Thermoregulation==
Thermoregulation is the ability of an organism to maintain a relatively constant body temperature despite fluctuations in temperature of the external environment.
Thermoregulation is the ability of an endothermic organism to maintain a relatively constant body temperature despite fluctuations in temperature of the external environment. This is a vital part of homeostasis.
*'''Homeotherm/Endotherm''': an organism with an internal temperature which remains relatively constant despite external temperature fluctuations.
*'''Poikilotherm/Ectotherm''': an organism having a body temperature which fluctuates with the external environment - eg Fish, Reptile.
==Mechanism of Action==
The thermoregulatory mechanism consists of:
*Sensory Component: neurones that possess nerve endings with thermoreceptors continuously monitor body temperature and transmit it to the integrating centre.
*Integrating Centre: