Thermoregulating

Thermoregulating describes the process by which an organism or system maintains its internal temperature within a narrow, optimal range despite changes in the external environment.

In biology, thermoregulation is a central aspect of homeostasis. Organisms that regulate their body temperature to stay relatively constant are called endotherms (often referred to as homeotherms); they rely on metabolic heat production and physiological responses to adjust heat gain or loss. By contrast, ectotherms or poikilotherms have body temperatures that largely track ambient conditions and typically use behavioral strategies such as basking in the sun or seeking shade to manage heat.

The hypothalamus, a brain region, acts as the body's thermostat. It integrates sensory signals and coordinates responses that adjust heat production and dissipation. Key effectors include skin blood vessels, which undergo vasodilation or vasoconstriction to modulate heat exchange; sweat glands and panting for evaporative cooling; and, in some species, shivering or non-shivering thermogenesis, notably in brown adipose tissue, to generate heat.

Fever illustrates a regulated shift in the thermoregulatory set point during illness, increasing body temperature to combat pathogens. Dysregulation can produce hypothermia or hyperthermia, including dangerous conditions such as heat stroke or severe hypothermia, and is relevant in medicine, physiology, and clinical care.

In engineering and environmental design, thermoregulating describes systems that maintain target temperatures through sensors, control algorithms, and active heating or cooling, ensuring performance, safety, and comfort in devices, buildings, and industrial processes.