Thermoregulation and Human Endocrine System

Thermoregulatory centre (3)

Found in the brain

Monitors blood temperature

Receptors in skin send impulses to it

Average body temperature

37\.5 degrees Celsius

What happens when body temperature becomes too high? (2)

Sweat evaporates from skin resulting in increased energy transfer away from skin

Vasodilation causes blood to flow closer to the skin, increasing energy transfer away from skin

What happens when body temperature becomes too low? (3)

Skeletal muscles rapidly contract to generate heat from respiration

Hairs stand upright, trapping air and forming an insulating layer

Vasoconstriction minimises heat loss through skin

Pituitary gland

Master gland

Secretes hormones to either have an effect on the body or stimulate another gland to secrete hormones

Pancreas

Insulin

Regulates blood glucose

Thyroid

Thyroxine

Controls metabolic rate, heart rate and temperature

Adrenal gland

Adrenaline

Response to stressful situations

Ovary

Oestrogen

Involved in menstrual cycle

Testes

Testosterone

Involved in sperm production

How do hormones work?

Travel through bloodstream to get to target organ