Body temperature regulation 1

and 2

Dr. Sovan Bagchi

Professor of Physiology

www.gmu.ac.ae COLLEGE OF PHARMACY

 Learning Objectives
 Define Thermoregulation.

 Describe the processes involved in heat

gain and heat loss.
 Describe the role of skin in regulating body
temperature.
 Explain the mechanisms involved in
regulating body temperature.
 Give an overview of heat illness.
 Body Temperature

• Normal Body Temperature (NBT) – 98.60F(370C)

• Range of NBT ----- 970F to 990F
• Rectal Temp ----- 0.50F to 10F above the Oral
• Rectal Temp reflects the internal body Temp (Core Body Temp)
• Core Body Temp. remain almost constant
• Skin Temp. (Shell Temp)-----Variable
 Temperature Homeostasis

• Keep the body temp within a very narrow range

 Range of body temperature (970F to 990F)

• Temperatures above this:

 Denature enzymes and block metabolic pathways

• Temperatures below this:

 Slow down metabolism and affect the brain
 Heat Balance
• Heat balance maintains the body temp
• Balance between heat production & heat loss
• Heat Balance
Heat production= Heat loss
• Heat production is called thermogenesis
• Heat loss is called as thermolysis
Heat Production (Thermogenesis)

• Basal Metabolic Rate

• Specific Dynamic Action of food
• Activity of skeletal muscle
• Shivering
• Exercise
• Chemical Thermogenesis
 Epinephrine &Norepinephrine
 Thyroxine
• Brown Fat
• Source of considerable heat production
• Abundant in infants
Heat Loss (Thermolysis)
• Radiation
• Conduction
• Convection
• Evaporation
• Perspiration
• Respiration
• Loss through urine & feces
Role of Skin
Heat Exchange in the Skin
Vasoconstriction and Vasodilatation
 Thermoregulation

• Temperature is regulated by nervous

feedback mechanisms
• Thermoregulatory center located in the
Hypothalamus
• Thermoregulatory regulatory responses
include
 Autonomic
 Somatic
 Endocrine
 Behavioural changes
 Feedback system

1) Receptor
• Sensor that responds to changes (stimuli)
2) Control Center
• Sets range of values
• Evaluates input and
• Sends output
3) Effector-
• Receives output from control center
• Produces a response
 Body Temperature Control System
• Hypothalamus
• Acts as a thermostat
• Receives nerve impulses from
cutaneous thermoreceptors
• Thermoreceptors : Cold &Heat
• Hypothalamus- also has
thermoreceptors called central
thermoreceptors
• These detect changes in
blood temperature
Thermoregulatory regulatory responses

Exposure to Cold Exposure to Heat

Shivering Vasodilatation
Increase voluntary activity Sweating
Increase TSH secretion Increase in Respiration
Increase Catecholamines Anorexia
Vasoconstriction Apathy
Horripilation Decrease TSH secretion
Curling up
HEAT EXHAUSTION
HEAT STROKE
HEAT EXHAUSTION / HEAT STROKE CHART
 Learning Resources

 Text Book: Marieb EN. Human Anatomy and Physiology, 9th

Edition, Pearson International Edition; 2014. ISBN-13: 978-1-
2920-2649-7. Chapter 5, pp. 193, Chapter 14, pp. 585

 Power-point presentation in the moodle

www.gmu.ac.ae COLLEGE OF PHARMACY