AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
The skin contains temperature receptors and sends nervous impulses to the…
Full specification wording
Control of body temperature (biology only): The skin contains temperature receptors and sends nervous impulses to the thermoregulatory centre.
Temperature receptors in the skin detect changes in external temperature.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 7
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Temperature receptors in the skin detect changes in external temperature. When stimulated, they generate nervous impulses that travel along sensory neurones to the central nervous system. These impulses reach the thermoregulatory centre, a region of the brain that monitors and coordinates body temperature. The thermoregulatory centre itself contains receptors sensitive to the temperature of the blood flowing through the brain. By combining this information, it compares core and skin temperatures. If it detects a deviation from the normal set point, it initiates corrective responses through the nervous system.
For example: Touching a cold railing stimulates skin receptors, sending impulses to the centre before core temperature changes.
What earns the marks
- Temperature receptors in the skin detect changes in the external environment.
- Stimulation of a temperature receptor generates a nervous impulse.
- The impulse travels along a sensory neurone to the central nervous system.
- Impulses are relayed to the thermoregulatory centre in the brain.
- The thermoregulatory centre itself contains receptors that are sensitive to the temperature of the blood flowing through the brain.
- The thermoregulatory centre coordinates responses that restore core body temperature to its normal set point.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Stating that the skin sends hormones to the thermoregulatory centre.
Put it right: That nervous impulses travel along neurones.
Claiming that the thermoregulatory centre is in the skin.
Put it right: It is a region of the brain, and the skin only contains the receptors.
Saying that temperature receptors detect core body temperature directly.
Put it right: Skin receptors detect skin and environmental temperature, while receptors within the thermoregulatory centre monitor blood temperature.
Exam tips
- Use the phrase nervous impulse rather than signal or message when describing communication along neurones.
- Name the thermoregulatory centre and state its location in the brain to show precise knowledge.
- Link the receptor, sensory neurone and thermoregulatory centre in a logical sequence when explaining the pathway.
Try the lesson
The start of the Control of body temperature (biology only): The skin contains temperature receptors and sends nervous impulses to the thermoregulatory centre. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which part of the body contains temperature receptors that detect changes in the temperature of the surroundings?
Listen
Temperature receptors in the skin detect changes in external temperature. When stimulated, they generate nervous impulses that travel along sensory neurones to the central nervous system. These impulses reach the thermoregulatory centre, a region of the brain that monitors and coordinates body temperature. The thermoregulatory centre itself contains receptors sensitive to the temperature of the blood flowing through the brain. By combining this information, it compares core and skin temperatures. If it detects a deviation from the normal set point, it initiates corrective responses through the nervous system. For example, touching a cold railing stimulates skin receptors, sending impulses to the centre before core temperature changes. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Temperature receptors in the skin detect changes in the external environment. Stimulation of a temperature receptor generates a nervous impulse. The impulse travels along a sensory neurone to the central nervous system. Impulses are relayed to the thermoregulatory centre in the brain. A common slip: Stating that the skin sends hormones to the thermoregulatory centre. Instead, that nervous impulses travel along neurones. Exam tip: Use the phrase nervous impulse rather than signal or message when describing communication along neurones.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Temperature receptors
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Nervous impulse
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Thermoregulatory centre
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Temperature receptors
- Structures in the skin that detect changes in the external environment.
- Nervous impulse
- What is generated when a temperature receptor is stimulated, travelling along a sensory neurone to the central nervous system.
- Thermoregulatory centre
- A region of the brain that contains receptors sensitive to the temperature of the blood flowing through the brain and coordinates responses that restore core body temperature to its normal set point.
There is more to this lesson
The full lesson goes on to check your understanding and help you earn the marks. Create a free account to carry on, with your progress saved.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge
Test your understanding of Control of body temperature (biology only): The skin contains temperature receptors and sends nervous impulses to the thermoregulatory centre.
Active recall beats re-reading. Take an instant quiz now to test what you’ve learned and lock it into long-term memory.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge