Vasoconstriction reduces blood flow to the skin to minimise heat loss to the environment.

Vasoconstriction of skin arterioles

Vasodilation of surface capillaries

Erector muscles relax hair follicles

The thermoregulatory centre acts as a thermostat by monitoring the temperature of the blood flowing through it.

To detect changes in blood temperature

To monitor blood glucose levels

To regulate pituitary hormone release

To coordinate involuntary muscle movement

AQA GCSE Biology

Thermoregulation

AQA GCSE Biology revision on Thermoregulation. Aligned to the AQA GCSE Biology 8461 specification. This bank has 25 practice questions on this topic.

Sample questions (3 of 25)

Question 1

Which physiological response occurs when the thermoregulatory centre detects a drop in core body temperature?
- A) Sweat glands increase output
- B) Vasoconstriction of skin arterioles
- C) Vasodilation of surface capillaries
- D) Erector muscles relax hair follicles
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Answer: Vasoconstriction of skin arterioles

When the body detects cold, the hypothalamus triggers vasoconstriction, which narrows the arterioles supplying surface capillaries. This diverts blood away from the skin surface, keeping warm blood deeper in the body and reducing heat loss via radiation.
Question 2

What is the primary function of the thermoregulatory centre located in the brain?
- A) To monitor blood glucose levels
- B) To detect changes in blood temperature
- C) To regulate pituitary hormone release
- D) To coordinate involuntary muscle movement
Show answer

Answer: To detect changes in blood temperature

The thermoregulatory centre in the hypothalamus contains receptors sensitive to the temperature of the blood passing through the brain. It also receives impulses from temperature receptors in the skin to help coordinate an appropriate response to maintain a core temperature of 37 degrees Celsius.
Question 3

Which process directly contributes to cooling the body through the evaporation of water from the skin surface?
- A) Increased metabolic rate
- B) Vasodilation of arterioles
- C) Production of sweat
- D) Contraction of hair muscles
Show answer

Answer: Production of sweat

When the body temperature rises, sweat glands secrete sweat onto the skin surface. As the water in the sweat evaporates, it absorbs thermal energy from the skin, which significantly lowers the body temperature.

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Sample questions (3 of 25)

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