Final answer:
The mechanism used to regulate body temperature around a set point of 37 Celsius includes shivering to generate heat and sweating to cool down, controlled by the hypothalamus.
Step-by-step explanation:
Body temperature can be regulated around a set point of 37 Celsius by antagonistic mechanisms. An example of this is shivering by the muscles to generate heat, or sweating to reduce body temperature. The hypothalamus in the brain acts as a thermostat, initiating processes like vasodilation, vasoconstriction, shivering, or sweating based on whether the body needs to lose or gain heat to maintain homeostasis. Shivering involves involuntary muscle contractions which generate heat, while sweating helps dissipate heat through the evaporation of water from the skin.
Maintenance of homeostasis is a classic example of negative feedback. If body temperature rises, mechanisms such as increased blood circulation to the body's periphery and sweating help cool it down. Conversely, when it's cold, blood flow is diverted from the skin and shivering generates heat, keeping the body core warm. Thyroid hormones are also involved in regulating heat production by stimulating metabolism.