Question

Name the principle body heat regulating centre in our brain.

Answer 1

Hint: The heat is generated in our body through the physiological processes like respiration. Our body maintains an optimum temperature of 98.6 degree irrespective of the fluctuations of temperature in our surroundings. This heat regulatory centre is present in the brain.

Complete answer:
To solve this question, we must know about the heat regulatory centre in our brain.
Our body acts like a thermostat and maintains a constant body temperature. The temperature of the internal body is maintained by the hypothalamus present in our brain. When the temperature fluctuates above or below the normal temperature, the hypothalamus directs the other glands to increase the metabolic activities and produce heat.

Hypothalamus is a small endocrine gland present at the base of the brain near the pituitary. It secretes many hormones like growth hormones, gonadotropins, thyrotropins etc which are responsible for regulating all the physiological activities of our body.

The other functions of hypothalamus are:
1.Controls the appetite.
2.Manages sexual behaviour.
3.Manages emotional and behavioural changes.
4.Regulates the other endocrine glands for producing hormones.
The thyroid gland also helps in regulating the body temperature by controlling the metabolism. The thyroid gland is directly controlled by the hypothalamus. The thyroid gland secretes excess thyroxine to increase the body temperature.

Hence, the correct answer is Hypothalamus

Note: The hypothalamus controls the body temperature by causing shivering and sweating when cold and hot respectively. Certain allergies, high blood pressure and cold medications prevent sweating. This inhibits our body’s ability to act as a thermostat.