MadSci Network: Neuroscience
Query:

Re: What regulates body temperature, hunger and other internal conditions?

Date: Wed Nov 29 21:47:06 2000
Posted By: Amanda Kahn, Grad student, neuroscience, UCSF
Area of science: Neuroscience
ID: 974756144.Ns
Message:

Hi Cory!

Your body has an entire system devoted to regulating body temperature, 
hunger, and other internal conditions -- it's called the endocrine/
neuroendocrine system.  An area of the brain called the hypothalamus is in 
charge of regulating internal conditions such as body temp, hunger/satiety, 
thirst, emotional state (including feelings of stress), and your sleep cycle 
(AKA your circadian rhythm).  The hypothalamus is also involved in some 
reproductive and memory functions.   Endocrine functions are achieved 
through the release of specific neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and 
hormones that act at areas throughout your brain and other areas of the 
body.

Here is an excellent "Neuroscience for Kids" site.
http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/

Here are some pages from that site that specifically deal with the 
hypothalamus and the endocrine system:

A fun Circadian Rhythms lab:
http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/clock.html 


Definition of the hypothalamus (and other brain areas):
http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/nsdivide.html

More information on the hypothalamus can be found through typing terms like 
"hypothalamus," "endocrine," "temperature," "hunger" and so forth into a 
good search engine.  Try http://www.google.com for starters.

Have fun!

Amanda Kahn
amandak@phy.ucsf.edu




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