The thermoregulation is the mechanism which makes it possible at an organization to preserve a constant Température. It is the result of production and heat loss. One distinguishes the organizations Homéotherme S from the Poïkilotherme S. the poïkilothermes are the animals whose internal temperature varies according to the external temperature.

Thermoregulation includes/understands two phenomena:

• Thermolysis (loss of heat)
• Thermogenesis (production of heat)

Importance of thermoregulation

The Vie is a complex phenomenon whose base is a whole of chemical reactions and physical phenomena. However, the temperature has a capital influence on the chemical reactions (see the article Thermochimie ):

• a reaction is not possible that in a range of temperature given;
• the chemical Cinétique very often depends on the temperature (Loi of Arrhenius);
• when a reaction is reversible, the point of balance depends on the temperature.

Many physical phenomena also depend on the temperature, such as for example the Adsorption and the Désorption, the Osmose, the concept of phase.

The important thing is the central temperature: indeed, the temperature of the outer jacket (Skin) can be very different from the temperature of blood.

Disorders of thermoregulation

When thermoregulation does not manage to maintain conditions of central temperature “normal”, one speaks:

• of Hypothermia when the central temperature is lower than the normal temperature;
• of Hyperthermia when the central temperature is higher than the normal temperature.

When the central temperature is normal, one speaks about Normothermie.

See too

External bonds

• thermal environment, CNAM (file pdf, 34p, 293 ki O)

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