Temperature Regulation and Homeostasis

12 Questions

What is the main focus of the lecture series?

Temperature regulation

Which term refers to the body's attempt to maintain a stable internal environment?

Homeostasis

What is the purpose of negative feedback mechanisms in maintaining homeostasis?

To push the body back towards its set point

Which species have body temperatures that match their environment?

Ectothermic

What refers to the energy required to maintain bodily functions at rest?

Basal metabolic rate

How do homeothermic species regulate temperature internally?

Through shivering and sweating

What is a symptom of hypothermia when the core temperature drops below 90°F (32°C)?

Confusion

Which area is crucial for temperature regulation and receives input from temperature receptors and the immune system?

Preoptic area and anterior hypothalamus

What substances are released by the immune system during fever to increase body temperature?

Prandin and histamines

What is the function of anti-pyretic drugs like acetaminophen and ibuprofen?

Reduce inflammation

Why is it not recommended to use acetaminophen for hangover relief according to the text?

It has hepatotoxic properties

What can drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine, and ecstasy potentially lead to due to their effects on the body?

Hypothermia

Study Notes

The lecture series is about internal regulation, with the first part focusing on temperature regulation.
Homeostasis is the body's attempt to maintain a stable internal environment, while allostasis is the body's adaptive response to changing needs.
Temperature regulation is vital for normal behavior and survival.
Homeostasis involves maintaining bodily set points, such as a core temperature of 98.6°F (37°C) for humans.
Negative feedback mechanisms, like a thermostat, help maintain homeostasis by pushing the body back towards its set point when it goes outside the desired range.
Allostasis allows for adaptive responses to changing environments and needs.
Temperature regulation requires twice as much energy as all other bodily functions combined.
Basal metabolic rate refers to the energy required to maintain bodily functions at rest.
PMIC (ectothermic) species have body temperatures that match their environment, while homeothermic (endothermic) species maintain a relatively constant body temperature.
Homeothermic species use internal physiological mechanisms to regulate temperature, including shivering and sweating.
Factors influencing basal metabolic rate include age, muscle mass, and caloric intake.
Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can pose health risks and impact survival.
Surviving extreme cold involves adapting to freezing temperatures and preventing dehydration of blood cells.
Hypothermia symptoms include confusion, clumsiness, and loss of muscle control when core temperature drops below 90°F (32°C).
Extreme heat can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke, requiring rapid cooling to prevent serious health consequences.
Dehydration and hyponatremia are risks associated with extreme temperatures and require careful monitoring and prevention.
The preoptic area and anterior hypothalamus are crucial areas for temperature regulation, receiving input from temperature receptors throughout the body and the immune system.
The immune system releases substances like prandin and histamines to increase body temperature and create a fever.
Certain drugs, such as cocaine, methamphetamine, and ecstasy, can increase body temperature by increasing metabolism and limiting heat loss through vasoconstriction, potentially leading to brain hypothermia.- Ecstasy can impact the thirst regulation system, leading people to believe they need to drink excessive amounts of water, potentially resulting in hyponatremia.
Fever is a temperature regulation mechanism triggered by the immune system to combat infections, with a body temperature set point adjusted by the hypothalamus.
Proinflammatory cytokines released during fever aid in bacterial growth inhibition and increased immune system activity.
Fever can be harmful if temperatures exceed 103.3°F (39.6°C), especially in adults, with temperatures above 109°F (42.8°C) being life-threatening.
Anti-pyretic drugs, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, are used to decrease fever. They inhibit cyclooxygenase, reducing the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2).
Acetaminophen has stronger effects on fever reduction, while ibuprofen is more effective for inflammation reduction.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and acetaminophen have varying effects and side effects. Ibuprofen and naproxen have significant gastrointestinal side effects, and acetaminophen has hepatotoxic properties.
It is not recommended to use acetaminophen for hangover relief, as the liver is already under stress from alcohol consumption.