Thermoregulation

thermoregulation

regulating body temperature

cell membranes

Are like oily soap, bubbles, they become more fluid when they get warmer

enzymes

Proteins that perform many cell functions/including digestion/growth and repair. They speed up when they get warmer.

what happens when you cool down a lot?

Cell membranes become less fluid and enzymes slow down when they get colder

Endothermic animals

Generate body heat by processing food molecules with the help of oxygen. They control it with insulation (fur or feathers)

ectothermic animals

Body temperature is determined mainly by the surroundings can be warm or cool, depending on the situation control it mainly by behavior.

Hibernation & Torpor

Lowered body temperature and metabolic rate

migration

Avoiding seasonal temperatures changes by moving somewhere else

homeostasis

Keeping up precise balance of various aspects of body state, which is needed to sustain life

insulation

Goosebumps fluff feathers are fur up and trap air. Body heat warms the air inside the fluff/fur and is held there rather than being blown away.

convective cooling

When kuehl air blows over you, it picks a body heat and carries it away

why does sweating cool you off?

Turns liquid water into a gas takes lots of heat energy

radiative cooling

Exposing warm blood in the capillaries to the surroundings, let’s heat radiate out of the air

does alcohol really warm you in the cold?

ethanol, relaxes, smooth muscles, capillaries, expand, warming of the skin around the expanded blood vessels feels like you’re warmer