Thermoregulation and Sleep

These flashcards cover key concepts related to thermoregulation and sleep, including processes, outcomes, and mechanisms mentioned in the lecture notes.

Thermoregulation

The body's process of maintaining a stable internal temperature despite changes in the external environment.

Homeotherms

Organisms that maintain body temperature within an optimal, narrow physiological range.

Hyperthermia

A condition where the body temperature becomes excessively elevated.

Hypothermia

A condition where the body temperature drops below the normal level.

Vasodilation

The widening of blood vessels that increases blood flow and heat loss.

Vasoconstriction

The narrowing of blood vessels that decreases blood flow and conserves heat.

Thermogenesis

The process by which the body generates heat to maintain body temperature.

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

The heat produced during normal metabolic processes at rest, crucial for basic body functions.

Thermoeffector

Any physiological mechanism that regulates body temperature by altering heat production, conservation, or loss.

Thermoneutral Zone (TNZ)

The range of ambient temperatures where the body can maintain its core temperature through regulating dry heat loss.

Circadian Rhythm

The body's internal clock that regulates the daily cycle of physiological processes, including temperature.

Preoptic Area (POA)

The primary center in the hypothalamus for thermoregulation.

Distal-Proximal Temperature Gradient (DPG)

The temperature difference between the distal parts of the body and the central parts.

NREM sleep

Non-Rapid Eye Movement sleep where thermoregulatory responses are still functional but less responsive.

REM sleep

Rapid Eye Movement sleep characterized by muscle atonia and reduced thermoregulatory responses.

Night Sweats

Episodes of excessive sweating during sleep that can be linked to various medical conditions.

Hypothalamic thermoregulation centers

Neurons in the hypothalamus that control thermoregulation processes.

Warm challenge

Exposure to elevated environmental temperatures to induce thermoregulatory responses.

Cold defense mechanisms

Physiological responses like shivering and vasoconstriction to conserve heat in cold environments.

Heat-defense mechanisms

Physiological responses like sweating and vasodilation to dissipate heat in warm environments.

Circadian pacemaker

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) that influences circadian rhythms of body temperature.

Peripheral vasodilation

The expansion of blood vessels in the extremities to increase heat loss, facilitating sleep onset.