Temperature Regulation — GCSE Biology Revision
Revise Temperature Regulation for GCSE Biology. Step-by-step explanation, worked examples, common mistakes and exam-style practice aligned to AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Eduqas, CCEA, Cambridge International (CIE), SQA, IB, AP.
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Go to Nervous SystemWhat is Temperature Regulation?
The human body maintains a constant internal temperature of around 37°C through thermoregulation, a process involving the brain and skin. When the body is too hot, vasodilation and sweating help to cool it down. When it's too cold, vasoconstriction and shivering help to warm it up.
Board notes: Covered by AQA and Edexcel at the Higher tier. OCR covers this in less detail. The mechanisms of vasodilation, vasoconstriction and sweating are key.
Step-by-step explanationWorked example
On a cold day, thermoreceptors in the skin send signals to the brain. The brain triggers vasoconstriction, narrowing the arterioles supplying the skin capillaries to reduce blood flow to the surface and conserve heat. It also triggers shivering – rapid muscle contractions that generate heat through respiration.
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Common mistakes
- 1Confusing vasodilation and vasoconstriction. Vasodilation is when blood vessels near the skin surface widen to release heat. Vasoconstriction is when they narrow to conserve heat.
- 2Thinking that sweat itself cools you down. The cooling effect comes from the evaporation of sweat from the skin, which requires heat energy from the body.
- 3Forgetting the role of hairs on the skin. When it's cold, erector muscles pull the hairs upright, trapping a layer of insulating air. This is not very effective in humans but is important in furrier animals.
Temperature Regulation exam questions
Exam-style questions for Temperature Regulation with mark-scheme style solutions and timing practice. Aligned to AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Eduqas, CCEA, Cambridge International (CIE), SQA, IB, AP specifications.
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Step-by-step method
Step-by-step explanation
4 steps · Worked method for Temperature Regulation
Core concept
The human body maintains a constant internal temperature of around 37°C through thermoregulation, a process involving the brain and skin. When the body is too hot, vasodilation and sweating help to co…
Frequently asked questions
What part of the brain controls body temperature?
Body temperature is monitored and controlled by the thermoregulatory centre in the hypothalamus, a part of the brain.
Why do you go red when you are hot?
When you are hot, blood vessels near the surface of your skin dilate (vasodilation). This increases blood flow to the skin, allowing more heat to be lost to the surroundings by radiation, which makes your skin appear red.