AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
The thermoregulatory centre contains receptors sensitive to the…
Full specification wording
Control of body temperature (biology only): The thermoregulatory centre contains receptors sensitive to the temperature of the blood.
Inside the thermoregulatory centre are receptors that detect the temperature of the blood flowing through the brain.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 7
- 2 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Inside the thermoregulatory centre are receptors that detect the temperature of the blood flowing through the brain. Because blood circulates from the core, its temperature reflects the body's internal temperature, so these receptors give a direct measure of core temperature. They are separate from temperature receptors in the skin, which detect external temperature and warn the brain about changes in the environment. The centre combines both sets of information to decide whether to activate cooling or warming responses. This dual input allows the body to respond both to internal changes, such as during exercise, and to external changes, such as entering a cold room.
What earns the marks
- Receptors in the thermoregulatory centre detect blood temperature.
- Blood temperature reflects core body temperature because blood circulates from the core.
- Skin receptors detect external temperature and provide separate information.
- The centre integrates both inputs before triggering a response.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Saying the receptors detect skin temperature.
Put it right: They detect blood temperature, while skin receptors detect external temperature.
Thinking the receptors are in the blood vessels.
Put it right: They are in the thermoregulatory centre in the brain.
Believing only one source of information is used.
Put it right: Both blood and skin inputs are combined.
Exam tips
- Distinguish blood receptors from skin receptors clearly.
- Explain why blood temperature represents core temperature.
- Use the term core temperature accurately.
Try the lesson
The start of the Control of body temperature (biology only): The thermoregulatory centre contains receptors sensitive to the temperature of the blood. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What do the receptors in the thermoregulatory centre detect?
Listen
Inside the thermoregulatory centre are receptors that detect the temperature of the blood flowing through the brain. Because blood circulates from the core, its temperature reflects the body's internal temperature, so these receptors give a direct measure of core temperature. They are separate from temperature receptors in the skin, which detect external temperature and warn the brain about changes in the environment. The centre combines both sets of information to decide whether to activate cooling or warming responses. This dual input allows the body to respond both to internal changes, such as during exercise, and to external changes, such as entering a cold room. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Receptors in the thermoregulatory centre detect blood temperature. Blood temperature reflects core body temperature because blood circulates from the core. Skin receptors detect external temperature and provide separate information. The centre integrates both inputs before triggering a response. A common slip: Saying the receptors detect skin temperature. Instead, they detect blood temperature, while skin receptors detect external temperature. Exam tip: Distinguish blood receptors from skin receptors clearly.
See it
Key words
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Core temperature
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Integration of information
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See every definition
- Core temperature
- The body's internal temperature, which blood temperature reflects because blood circulates from the core.
- Integration of information
- The centre combines both sets of information to decide whether to activate cooling or warming responses.
Label the diagram
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1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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