The diagram illustrates thermoregulation in mammals following a decrease in body temperature - Scottish Highers Biology - Question 1 - 2018
Question 1
The diagram illustrates thermoregulation in mammals following a decrease in body temperature.
a)
(i) Name the type of control used in thermoregulation as shown in... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The diagram illustrates thermoregulation in mammals following a decrease in body temperature - Scottish Highers Biology - Question 1 - 2018
Step 1
Name the type of control used in thermoregulation as shown in the diagram.
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Answer
The type of control used in thermoregulation is negative feedback, which is a mechanism that helps maintain homeostasis by correcting deviations from a set point.
Step 2
Name the part of the brain in which thermoreceptors are found.
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Answer
Thermoreceptors are found in the hypothalamus, which is the region of the brain responsible for regulating body temperature.
Step 3
State how information travels to the effectors in the skin.
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Answer
Information travels to the effectors in the skin via nerves, specifically through nerve impulses that convey signals from the brain to the targeted effectors.
Step 4
Describe the response of these effectors to a decrease in body temperature.
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Answer
When body temperature decreases, the effectors, such as blood vessels in the skin, respond by narrowing (vasoconstriction). This reduces blood flow to the skin and thereby conserves heat.
Step 5
Explain how this response would help return body temperature to normal.
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Answer
By reducing blood flow to the skin, less heat is lost to the environment, which helps to maintain the core body temperature and return it to normal levels.
Step 6
Explain why it is important for a mammal to regulate its body temperature.
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Answer
It is essential for mammals to regulate their body temperature to ensure enzymatic and metabolic processes function optimally. Extreme deviations from the normal temperature can lead to inefficient cellular functions or death.
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