BRAINCAKEThermoregulation
Thermoregulation is the control of body temperature. In humans the core body temperature is kept close to 37 °C, usually within about 0.5 °C either way.
Why temperature must be controlled:
• Enzymes work best at an optimum temperature. If body temperature falls, molecules have less kinetic energy, there are fewer successful enzyme-substrate collisions and metabolic reactions slow down.
• If body temperature rises too high, hydrogen bonds and other bonds in enzymes break, the active site changes shape and the enzymes are denatured, so metabolism fails.
• A core temperature above about 40 °C (hyperthermia) or below about 35 °C (hypothermia) can be fatal if it continues.
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Key terms in this lesson
- hyperthermia
- A core body temperature above about 40 degC, which can be fatal if it continues.
- hypothermia
- A core body temperature below about 35 degC, which can be fatal if it continues.
- thermoreceptors
- Receptors that detect temperature, found centrally in the hypothalamus and peripherally in the skin.
More in Homeostasis
- ADH
- Negative Feedback Control
- Extra Feedback
- Diabetes Insipidus
- Losing or Gaining Heat
- Control of Body Temperature
- Endotherms
- Ectotherms
All 41 lessons in Homeostasis · All Edexcel A-level Biology topics