Heat Regulation


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Heat Regulation

Animals can be divided into two categories based on there methods of heat regulation or thermo regulation. They can be ectothermic or endothermic

Ectothermic This category include animals whose regulation of body temperature depends on external sources. They cannot maintain there own body temperature. The ectotherms include the fishes, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates. These are also called as cold blooded animals

EndothermicEndotherms use internally generated heat to maintain body temperature. Their body temperature tends to stay steady regardless of environment.  Eg : Birds and mammals. These are also known as warm blooded animals.

These two categories of animals show different adaptations to regulate there body temperature. Movement of blood vessels also help in regulation of heat in the body. As these vessels carry blood therefore, there movements results in change in the temperature of whole body. 

Vasodilation Vasodilation is the widening of your vessels. It happens when smooth muscles found in the walls of arteries or large veins relax, allowing the blood vessels to become more open. This result in increase in the blood flow through vessels as well as decrease in blood pressure. This increased blood flow increases the loss of heat from the body. Vasodilation usually occur in the vessels attached to the skin during summer season.

Vasoconstriction  :  Vasoconstriction is the narrowing of blood vessels that results from the constriction of muscles of the blood vessels. Constriction of blood vessels results in decreased blood flow and increased blood pressure. Due to less flow of blood there occur less loss of heat from the body. So, vasoconstriction is usually occur in winter season or at low temperature. The blood vessels of skin constrict to reduce heat loss of the body. 

In this way different movements of blood vessels results in heat regulation in different organisms.

 
 


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