Question

Thermoregulatory centre or thermostat in the body of homeothermic animals and man is found in
A. Skin
B. Diencephalon
C. Hypothalamus
D. Pituitary

Answer 1

Hint:The thermostat of the body is situated on the brain. It consists of a tiny cluster of brain cells located just above the pituitary gland and plays a central role in many essential functions, including the secretion of hormones and the control of body temperature.

Complete answer:
Thermoregulation is a mechanism that enables the body to retain its main internal temperature. This helps the body to maintain its homeostasis. Homeostasis is the regulation of internal conditions within cells or organisms to establish optimal conditions for cell activity. The nervous system and the hormones are responsible for regulating it.
The temperature of the body is one of the factors that is regulated during homeostasis. For normal functioning of enzymes in the body, the temperature of the body is maintained at around 37 °C. If the body temperature rises above this temperature, the enzymes may degrade and become less efficient in catalysing essential reactions, such as respiration. Maintaining body temperature requires a careful balance between heat generation and heat loss.
This mechanism is regulated by the thermoregulatory centre, which is found in the brain hypothalamus, which contains blood-temperature-sensitive receptors. The hypothalamus is in the posterior part of the diencephalon. The skin also has temperature sensors which send nerve impulses back to the hypothalamus. Hypothalamus responds to this information by transmitting nerve impulses to skin effectors to regulate body temperature.

Thus the correct answer is option C i.e., Hypothalamus.

Note:The key function of thermoregulation is to help sustain homeostasis, which means the equilibrium of the body's internal environment. A wide range of body processes and organs work to regulate the body's temperature at an optimum level.