Final answer:
Thermoregulation is the body's process of maintaining a safe body temperature by regulating heat production and dissipation. The hypothalamus is the key control center that triggers cooling mechanisms such as sweating and increased heat loss through the skin when the body temperature is too high, and warming mechanisms such as shivering and increased heat production when the body temperature is too low.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thermoregulation is the process through which the body maintains a safe body temperature. The body tightly regulates its temperature within certain boundaries, even when the surrounding temperature is significantly different. The hypothalamus, located in the brain, acts as the master switch that regulates the core body temperature. If the temperature is too high, the hypothalamus initiates processes such as vasodilation, sweating, and increasing heat dissipation to cool the body. Conversely, if the temperature falls below the set core temperature, the hypothalamus can initiate shivering and increased heat production to warm the body. These processes help the body maintain a steady temperature and show how thermoregulation works as an example of negative feedback.