Homeostasis: Thermoregulation And Body Temperature

Purpose

Thermoregulation is the ability of an organism to keep its body temperature within certain boundaries, even when the surrounding temperature varies and is of higher or lower temperature than what is normal. The purpose of thermoregulation is to balance thermal inputs and thermal losses in the body so as to maintain a relatively constant core temperature of approximately 36.7 degrees celsius. If this was unable to take place the body may not be able to functions properly and it could result in hypothermia or hyperthermia etcetera which could result in the death of the individual.

Adaptive advantage of thermoregulation

People or animals that are constantly able to maintain a temperature where they are able to function properly and
Body temperatures that are above the usual temperature causes metabolic issues that can result in death. Hyperthermia occurs at a temperature of 38 degrees or above. Hyperthermia occurs by the body absorbing or generating heat faster than it can be gotten rid of. In extreme cases it can cause the body’s enzymes and organ systems to fail.

According to Homeostasis thermoregulation notes.pdf, Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature increases without an increase in the set point of the thermoregulatory centre of the hypothalamus. It occurs when thermoregulation fails and is unable to bring the body temperature down. Examples of this include heatstroke and heat exhaustion.

Heat exhaustion is not fatal but if left untreated it can result in heatstroke which can often be fatal. Symptoms can include, fatigue, excessive sweat, thirst, and delirium. When in a state of heat exhaustion they generally have a normal or only slightly elevated body temperature. It occurs due to a lack of water and loss of electrolytes as oppose to excessive bodily heat
This can cause issues for a few reasons. One is that it upsets the ion balance in the blood as too much salt is lost, this can lead to cramps. It may also lead to dehydration. This occurs when the body loses up to two pints of sweat in an hour. When the body becomes dehydrated though it tries to hold on to any water that it can. Therefore less sweat is produced. As sweat is the body's most effective way of lowering the body temperature this causes problems as the body temperature stays too high. This can result in enzyme denaturing. This can be particularly common when people exercise hard in high temperatures. This could have been very likely to happen to the cyclists as they exercised hard in the hot