Metabolism & Energy Balance: Thermoregulation

These flashcards summarize key vocabulary and concepts related to metabolism and thermoregulation, as detailed in the lecture notes.

Thermal Balance

Heat production + gain - loss.

Core Temperature

Temperature beneath the skin and subcutaneous layer.

Shell Temperature

The temperature of the skin and subcutaneous layer, generally 1-6 °C lower than core temperature.

Thermoneutral Zone

Ambient temperature where heat gain equals heat loss, approximately 27.8 - 30 °C or 82 - 86 °F.

Thermoregulation

The process of maintaining an optimal body temperature through various mechanisms.

Voluntary Regulation

Conscious actions like clothing and body positioning to regulate body temperature.

Involuntary Regulation

Automatic responses by the body, such as sweating and vasodilation, to control temperature.

Simpathetic System

Part of the autonomic nervous system regulating involuntary actions including sweat production.

Heat Exhaustion

Condition arising from excessive loss of water and salts through sweating, leading to collapse.

Hyperthermia

Elevated body temperature without a change in the thermal set point.

Hypothermia

Abnormally low body temperature, typically below 35 °C or 95 °F.

Endogenous Pyrogen

Substance produced by the body that raises the thermal set point, like interleukin-1.

Antipyretics

Medications that lower fever by inhibiting pyrogen release.

Heat Stroke

Severe condition resulting from nonfunctioning heat-regulating systems, potentially lethal.

Shivering Thermogenesis

Involuntary muscle contractions to generate heat in response to cold.

Non-shivering Thermogenesis

Heat production through brown fat metabolism.