Thermoregulation PBL T2

Allow species to adapt to biome

Process of negative feedback in homeostasis to allow the maintenance of
constant internal environment
Monitored by preoptic nucleus of the anterior hypothalamus
Mean set point of 37 Degrees Celsius (variations rarely pass 0.6 Degrees)
Temperature can affect enzyme function, metabolic activity and energy
metabolism
Physiological thermoregulatory mechanisms respond to thermal deviations from
core set point
Conserve body heat:
Shivering - Isometric contraction of skeletal muscles (transfer
mechanical heat to body core)
Hair stand up straight trap heat
Vasoconstriction of peripheral blood vessels (reduce heat loss
from integument), preventing heat loss from skin
Lose body heat:
Sweat evaporative cooling
Hairs lie flat arrector pili muscles relax
Vasodilation muscle walls of arterioles relax allowing heat to
surface of skin
Causes of pyrexia:
Hyperthermia
Fever
Hyperthermia
Heat production exceeds heat dissipation
Occurs during physical exertion, dehydration, immersion in hot
fluids
Bodys mechanisms try to react to change from homeostatic
conditions
May lead to heat stroke, hot flashes, hypothalamic insult, etc.
Protein denaturation occurs around 42 Degrees C
Erthyrocytes damaged around 47 Degrees C
Fever
Characterized by the feeling of cold despite higher body
temperatures
Change in hypothalamic set point
Increased by endogenous pyrogenic cytokines (fever triggering
non-antibody proteins that act as mediators between cells). They include
interleukin-1 and -6.
Bodys mechanisms will generate and conserve heat until new set
point is reached leading to an increase in body temperature
It is proposed that this makes the body less hospitable to
pathogenic invaders
The cytokines are released by mononuclear phagocytes
Cytokines are carried from the local inflammatory site to the
central nervous system. There they bind to receptors on the vascular endothelial
cells within the hypothalamus.

This triggers phospholipases to release arachidonic acids from

membrane phospholipids.
Prostaglandin levels rise, resetting the hypothalamic regulatory
center to a new set point.
Some cytokines can directly interact with neural tissues.

Sources:
http://www.nanomedicine.com/NMIIA/15.2.7.htm
http://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/homeostaticprocesses-for-thermoregulation-23592046
http://faculty.washington.edu/brengelm/neut_zone/indxpg.html