Thermoregulation exam Flashcards

A type of homeostasis that controls body temperature.

Organisms that generate their body's main source of heat internally through their metabolism.

Organisms that absorb most of their body heat from external sources.

Organisms that maintain a constant body temperature regardless of environmental conditions.

Organisms whose body temperature varies significantly with environmental conditions.

The hypothalamus acts as the sensor for body temperature regulation, bridging the nervous and endocrine systems.

The constriction of blood vessels to reduce heat loss.

The dilation of blood vessels to increase heat loss.

A mechanism where two fluids flow in opposite directions and exchange heat or other substances.

Brown adipose tissue contains high concentrations of mitochondria and generates heat by consuming energy.

An involuntary response that generates heat through muscle movement.

A cooling mechanism where sweat evaporates from the skin, absorbing heat and cooling the body.

Adaptations like hair, fur, feathers, and fat that help conserve body heat.

Endotherms have a more tightly controlled internal environment, allowing better regulation of chemical processes.

Endotherms require a lot of food to fuel metabolic processes that generate body heat.

Ectotherms do not need as much energy to maintain body heat and thus spend less time looking for food.

Ectotherms have less control over their internal environment, which can affect their ability to carry out chemical reactions.

Organisms that use strategies from both homeotherms and poikilotherms.

The organ system that surrounds the body, including skin, hair, and nails, and helps in thermoregulation.

A response that causes hairs to stand up, helping with heat retention.

The false belief that alcohol keeps you warm; in reality, it causes vasodilation and increases heat loss.

Fat acts as insulation, reducing heat loss to the environment.

It conserves body heat by allowing heat exchange between arterial and venous blood flowing in opposite directions.

Feathers, especially down feathers, provide insulation to keep birds warm.

Mitochondria in brown adipose tissue generate heat by producing ATP.

Vasoconstriction reduces blood flow to the skin, minimizing heat loss.

Vasodilation increases blood flow to the skin, promoting heat loss.

The hypothalamus acts as the body's thermostat, regulating temperature by triggering responses like shivering or sweating.