Mechanisms of Heat Preservation

The human body maintains homeostasis of the body temperature through the following heat preservation mechanisms:

1. Vasoconstriction

2. Pilo-erection (goose bumps, where the hair stands on its ends)

3. Shivering

4. Behaviour protection.

All of these methods, are regulated by the hypothalamus.

Hypoglycaemia will reduce the body’s ability to continue to shiver, and hypothermia will rapidly occur once the body is no longer able to maintain its own heat preservation techniques.