Question

1. The hypothalamus in the human brain is involved in thermoregulation of the body.

This organ has been compared to a thermostat that uses a negative feedback
mechanism to control the heating and cooling in a house. Explain whether or not this
comparison is accurate. Justify your response. (3 points)

Answer 1

The hypothalamus in the human brain is involved in thermoregulation of the body. It acts as a thermostat, maintaining the body's core temperature within a narrow range. This comparison to a thermostat is accurate.

Step-by-step explanation:

The hypothalamus in the human brain is involved in thermoregulation of the body. It acts as a thermostat, maintaining the body's core temperature within a narrow range. This comparison to a thermostat is accurate because both the hypothalamus and a thermostat use negative feedback mechanisms to control temperature.

When the hypothalamus detects that the body temperature is too high, it initiates cooling mechanisms like increasing blood circulation to the skin and sweating. This helps to dissipate heat and lower the body temperature. On the other hand, if the body temperature falls below the set core temperature, the hypothalamus initiates mechanisms like shivering and vasoconstriction to generate heat and raise the temperature.