Lämpösäätely

Lämpösäätely, or thermoregulation in English, refers to the biological processes that allow an organism to maintain its core body temperature within a certain range, even when the surrounding temperature is different. This is a crucial aspect of homeostasis, the ability of a living system to maintain stability.

In warm-blooded animals, including mammals and birds, thermoregulation is an active process. They generate internal heat through metabolic processes and employ various mechanisms to conserve or dissipate this heat. When the body temperature rises, mechanisms like sweating or panting are activated to release heat through evaporation. Blood vessels near the skin surface can dilate, allowing more heat to radiate away. Conversely, when the body temperature drops, muscles may shiver to generate heat, and blood vessels can constrict to reduce heat loss. Fur and feathers also provide insulation.

Cold-blooded animals, like reptiles and amphibians, rely more on external sources of heat. Their body temperature fluctuates with the environment. They regulate their temperature behaviorally, for instance, by basking in the sun to warm up or seeking shade or burrows to cool down.

Plants also exhibit forms of temperature regulation, though less complex than in animals. They can adjust leaf orientation to reduce sun exposure or promote transpiration to cool surfaces. Some plants can generate heat through metabolic processes, particularly during flowering. Maintaining an optimal temperature is vital for enzyme activity and overall physiological function in all organisms. Disruptions to thermoregulation can lead to hyperthermia (overheating) or hypothermia (dangerously low body temperature), both of which can be fatal.