AQA · Biology · 8461
GCSE Biology: Control of body temperature
Homeostasis and response · AQA GCSE Biology (8461), specification point 4.5.2.4. Cards are generated from the exam board's own specification for "Control of body temperature", and every card links back to the page it came from. Separate science only. Specification © AQA — used with attribution.
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Which part of the brain monitors and controls body temperature?
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The thermoregulatory centre.
What do the receptors in the thermoregulatory centre detect?
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The temperature of the blood flowing through the brain.
How does the skin inform the thermoregulatory centre about temperature?
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Temperature receptors in the skin send nervous impulses to the thermoregulatory centre.
When body temperature is too high, blood vessels dilate — this is called ?.
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vasodilation
Which two mechanisms lower body temperature when it is too high?
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Vasodilation and sweating (from the sweat glands).
How do vasodilation and sweating cool the body?
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Both cause a transfer of energy from the skin to the environment.
When body temperature is too low, blood vessels constrict — this is called ?.
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vasoconstriction
What happens to sweating when body temperature is too low?
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Sweating stops.
What is shivering, in terms of muscle activity?
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Contraction of skeletal muscles, which raises body temperature when it is too low.
Why does vasodilation increase heat loss from the body?
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More blood flows through vessels near the skin surface, so more energy is transferred from the skin to the environment.
Why does vasoconstriction reduce heat loss from the body?
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Less blood flows near the skin surface, so less energy is transferred from the skin to the environment.
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