Thermoregulation

Introduction: 

Summers and Winters are the two most common seasons in our country. But you must have seen that in both seasons, our body temperature remains almost in the same range and we can keep ourselves warm even in winters. Do you know why? This is because of a scientific process called Thermoregulation. While human thermoregulation is a common process, certain animals don’t have this mechanism. 

Thermoregulation meaning: 

To understand thermoregulation’s meaning, let’s divide this word into two words: Thermo (meaning heat) and regulation (meaning maintenance). Therefore Thermoregulation can be defined as a process through which an organism can maintain its body temperature. 

Through thermoregulation mechanisms, the body can maintain an equilibrium temperature. This means that the body temperature will lie between 37-38 Degrees Celsius (i.e. 97-100 degrees Fahrenheit) and the extreme body temperature is prevented. This is why the body can maintain internal temperatures and prevent itself from the harsh impact of cold weather. 

What would have happened if there was no human thermoregulation? 

If the human body does not have thermoregulation mechanisms, the body would have attained extreme temperatures. At that temperature, the body would not be able to function properly. Both extremely low temperatures and extremely high temperatures are detrimental to human health. 

In case of extremely low body temperature: The condition of hypothermia will come into the picture if body temperature becomes lesser than 35 degrees Celsius and there can be problems like Brain damage, cardiac arrest, and death, in extreme cases. 

In case of extremely high body temperature:

Similarly, if the internal body temperature becomes very high like 42 degrees Celsius, then also the body won’t be able to function and the body might face serious problems like Brain failure and death. 

How does human thermoregulation happen? 

In humans, thermoregulation is carried out by a section of the brain called the hypothalamus. When the brain senses that the internal body temperature is becoming too low or too high i.e. the equilibrium of the body temperature is disturbed, it will send some signals. These signals reach various body parts like muscles, glands, and other organs. As a result, all these organs and muscles come back to their normal temperature using several thermoregulation mechanisms.

Different types of thermoregulation mechanisms used by the body: 

1. Sweating: Sweating is one of the most common techniques employed by the body to get rid of extra temperature. Whenever the brain realizes that the body temperature has exceeded the normal temperature range, it gives a signal to sweat glands. As a result, sweat is released from the skin and when it is evaporated, the internal body temperature cools down. 
2. Vasodilatation: Another process used by the body muscles to cool down is Vasodilatation. In this process, the blood vessels play a major role in getting rid of high temperatures. The blood vessels become wider when they receive signals from the brain.  As a result, the blood flow in the cooler region increases and gets diverted from the warm body due to which the body temperature becomes normal.
3. Hormonal thermogenesis: Hormonal thermogenesis is used to overcome extremely cold body temperature. In this process, thyroid gland hormones play an important role due to which this process is called hormonal thermogenesis. 

When the internal body temperature starts becoming colder, thyroid glands get a signal to release a hormone for increasing metabolism in the body. As metabolism rate increases, the body becomes warmer and temperature becomes normal. 

• Vasoconstriction: Vasoconstriction is just opposite to Vasodilatation. When body temperature has to be reduced, the blood vessels will start reducing their width and the blood doesn’t flow towards the cooler side. As a result, we feel warmer and extreme cold Internal temperature is avoided. 

• Thermogenesis: Another technique used by the body to keep itself hot in cold temperatures is thermogenesis. Thermo means heat and genesis means making. So it is a combination of techniques used by body muscles to artificially create heat for keeping body temperature normal. It can include shivering, and other similar methods. 

1. Efferent sensing: This is the natural response to the body when it senses a change in surrounding temperature. We feel the urge to wear warm clothes when it is cold outside and wear cotton clothes when it is hot. Through all these urges, the body is trying to prevent us from extreme internal body temperature. 

Are there any organisms which don’t undergo this process? 

Yes, certain cold-blooded animals are not able to maintain a constant body temperature. This is because their internal heat is dependent on their outer surroundings. So they can easily cool down and warm up as per their environment. Some common examples include snakes, worms, etc.  

Conclusion: 

Thermoregulation is a crucial mechanism for the maintenance of body temperature and prevents extreme Temperature. As a result, the body is saved from several serious problems like heart failure, body failure, etc. that might have resulted due to extreme internal body temperature. Several mechanisms are used for regulating body temperature. So next time, when you sweat or Shiver, you can say to yourself that these are all-natural processes and help your body stay warmer and in equilibrium.