Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 1BI0 · Version from Sept 2016
7.12B Explain how thermoregulation takes place, with reference to: a…
Full specification wording
Topic 7 – Animal coordination, control and homeostasis: 7.12B Explain how thermoregulation takes place, with reference to: a shivering b vasoconstriction c vasodilation
Thermoregulation keeps core body temperature near 37 °C. The hypothalamus detects blood temperature and triggers responses.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1BI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 11 of 19
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Thermoregulation keeps core body temperature near 37 °C. The hypothalamus detects blood temperature and triggers responses. When too cold, shivering (a) makes muscles contract rapidly; the extra respiration releases heat energy, warming the blood. Vasoconstriction (b) narrows arterioles supplying skin capillaries, so less blood flows near the surface, reducing heat lost by radiation and conduction. When too hot, vasodilation (c) widens those arterioles, so more blood flows near the skin surface and more heat is lost by radiation. Sweating and hair/feather changes also help but the question targets these three. Link each response to whether heat is generated or lost, and to the direction of the blood-vessel change.
What earns the marks
- Shivering: rapid involuntary muscle contraction increases respiration, releasing heat energy that warms the body.
- Vasoconstriction: arterioles near the skin surface narrow, reducing blood flow near the surface and so reducing heat loss by radiation.
- Vasodilation: arterioles near the skin surface widen, increasing blood flow near the surface and so increasing heat loss by radiation.
- Correctly links each response to the cold or hot condition it counteracts.
- Recognises the hypothalamus as the coordinating centre detecting blood temperature.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Saying vasoconstriction increases blood flow to the skin.
Put it right: Correct it: vasoconstriction narrows vessels and reduces flow near the surface.
Confusing shivering with sweating as a cooling response.
Put it right: Correct it: shivering generates heat when cold.
Claiming vasodilation reduces heat loss.
Put it right: Correct it: vasodilation increases heat loss when the body is too hot.
Exam tips
- Match each named response to the condition (too hot or too cold) before choosing an option.
- Check the direction of vessel change: constriction narrows, dilation widens.
- Link each response to heat gained or heat lost, not just to the vessel name.
Try the lesson
The start of the Topic 7 – Animal coordination, control and homeostasis: 7.12B Explain how thermoregulation takes place, with reference to: a shivering b vasoconstriction c vasodilation lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
On a cold day, the muscles in a person's arms begin to shiver. How does shivering help to raise the body temperature?
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