Body temperature

Definition

Body temperature refers to the measure of the body's ability to generate and dissipate heat, maintaining a stable internal environment crucial for physiological processes. This balance is essential for homeostasis, and the regulation of body temperature is achieved through various physiological control systems and feedback mechanisms that respond to internal and external changes. Understanding body temperature is also key in explaining survival strategies like hibernation, estivation, and torpor, where organisms adapt their body temperature to survive extreme environmental conditions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The normal body temperature for humans is approximately 98.6°F (37°C), but it can vary slightly based on factors like time of day and activity level.
2. Thermoregulation involves mechanisms such as sweating, shivering, and altering blood flow to the skin to either release or retain heat.
3. Different animals have different thermoregulatory strategies; endotherms maintain constant body temperature regardless of environment, while ectotherms rely on external sources for heat.
4. During hibernation, an animal's body temperature can drop significantly, which conserves energy and allows it to survive long periods without food.
5. In extreme environments, some animals enter estivation, lowering their metabolic rate and body temperature to survive droughts or extreme heat.

Review Questions

• How do physiological control systems maintain homeostasis in relation to body temperature?
  • Physiological control systems maintain homeostasis by constantly monitoring internal body temperature and making adjustments through feedback mechanisms. For example, when the body overheats, sensors in the hypothalamus trigger sweating and increased blood flow to the skin to dissipate heat. Conversely, if the body gets too cold, shivering and vasoconstriction are activated to conserve heat. This continuous regulation ensures that enzymes and metabolic processes function optimally.
• Discuss the importance of body temperature regulation during hibernation and how it affects an animal's metabolism.
  • During hibernation, animals significantly lower their body temperature as a strategy to conserve energy during periods of food scarcity. This reduction in metabolic rate allows them to survive on stored energy reserves for extended periods. By entering a state of torpor with decreased body temperatures, these animals minimize energy expenditure and withstand harsh winter conditions without needing food. The ability to regulate body temperature effectively is crucial for their survival during these times.
• Evaluate the role of thermoregulation in the survival of ectothermic animals during extreme weather conditions.
  • Ectothermic animals rely heavily on environmental temperatures for regulating their body heat. In extreme weather conditions, such as prolonged cold or heat waves, they can face severe challenges for survival. By utilizing behaviors like seeking shade or burrowing into the ground, ectotherms can avoid lethal temperatures. However, if environmental extremes persist, it may exceed their capacity for thermoregulation, leading to mortality. Therefore, understanding how they manage their body temperatures under such conditions highlights the delicate balance required for their survival.

Related terms

Homeostasis: The process by which biological systems maintain stability while adjusting to changing external conditions.

Thermoregulation:

The physiological process that allows the body to maintain its core internal temperature within a narrow range, despite changes in external temperatures.

Hypothermia:

A medical emergency that occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, leading to dangerously low body temperatures.