The skin and the hypothalamusSpec 7.11B
The skin has two main layers, the epidermis and the dermis. The hypothalamus in the brain is the control centre for temperature.
| Part | Role in thermoregulation |
|---|---|
| Epidermis | The thin outer layer of the skin. Sweat reaches the skin surface through pores in the epidermis, and heat is lost from the surface |
| Dermis | The layer below the epidermis. It contains the sweat glands, blood vessels that supply the skin, and temperature receptors that detect changes in skin temperature |
| Hypothalamus | Monitors the temperature of the blood and receives impulses from temperature receptors in the skin. It coordinates the response by sending nerve impulses to the effectors, such as the sweat glands, muscles and blood vessels |
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