How does our body control body temperature?
It is done through a process called homeostasis which is controlled through a negative feedback mechanism loop. Various receptors and effectors bring about a reaction to ensure that such conditions remain favourable. The hypothalamus acts as a receptor in regulation, by detecting fluctuations in temperature. These receptors are better known as thermoreceptors. Skin also possesses thermoreceptors which can detect the temperature of the external environment. This information is relayed to the hypothalamus which can in turn transmit nerve pulses for corrective mechanisms to occur. Vasodilation is a corrective response where the blood vessels close to the skin surface become more dilated, meaning their is a larger surface area for heat to be lost of the external environment from the blood vessel carrying over-heated blood. Vasoconstriction is the opposite of this and occurs when temperatures in an organism drop. The blood vessels become constricted so that minimal heat loss occurs. The hai
