During strenuous exercise there are several factors in our bodies that tend to change. These changes that occur cannot stay that way they need to be returned back to a normal state. This is why our bodies have homeostatic mechanisms operating all the time, to return our bodies back to a constant internal environment. This constant internal environment needs to be maintained in order to carry out both basic and complex functions.
One factor that is influenced by prolonged strenuous exercise is the change in body temperature. A core temperature of approximately 37 degrees Celsius is needed because the chemical reactions that occur in the body are very heat sensitive. There is a thermoregulatory centre located in the hypothalamus that balances the heat losses and the heat produced.
During exercise there is a tendency that the body temperature of the person exercising to increase. This is due to the increased activity of the cells and muscles and also an increased breathing rate. The responses that occur during this exercise to maintain this constant internal environment are shown in a negative feedback loop. These are used to show the process from where the body first encounters an increased body temperature, then all the steps
ยง Behavioural responses. These are the responses that are not automatic. They are actions initiated by the exerciser like having a cool drink, wearing cooler clothing and stop exercising.
When a person is in periods of strenuous exercise the water lost through sweat and exhaling can be high. As this water is lost blood plasma becomes more concentrates and there is then a higher osmotic pressure. As a result water moves from the intercellular fluid to the plasma by osmosis, replenishing it and resulting in the reduced risks of cells becoming dehydrated or starved of fluids. As the water is lost from various parts of the body, a feeling of thirst is a result. It is thought that this feeling of thirst comes from osmoreceptor in the thirst centre of the hypothalamus.
All these responses then finally result in a negative feedback. This negative feedback is the opposite of the original stimulus. In this case all the responses initiate by the bodies homeostatic mechanism reduced the body temperature. This therefore allows the body to have an optimum core temperature for chemical reactions.
Example Essays Home
