Environmental effects on physiology 395490 215472320 2008-05-28T10:35:33Z 208.58.197.210 /* Altitude effects */ {{Unreferenced|date=October 2007}} [[The environment]] can have major influences on human [[physiology]]. '''Environmental effects on physiology''' are numerous; one of the most carefully studied effects is the alterations in [[thermoregulation]] in the body due to outside [[stress (medicine)|stresses]]. This is necessary because in order for [[enzyme]]s to function, [[blood]] to flow, and for various body [[Organ (anatomy)|organ]]s to operate, [[temperature]] must remain at consistent, balanced levels. ==Thermoregulation== To achieve this, the body alters three main things to achieve a constant, normal body temperature: *Heat transfer to the [[epidermis (skin)|epidermis]] *The rate of [[evaporation]] *The rate of heat production The [[hypothalamus]], or "master gland", plays an important role in thermoregulation. It connects to thermal receptors in the [[dermis]], and detects changes in surrounding blood to make decisions of whether to stimulate internal heat production, or to stimulate evaporation. There are two main types of stresses that can be experienced due to extreme, environmental temperatures; [[heat stress]] and [[cold stress]]. Heat stress is physiologically combated in four ways: [[thermal radiation|radiation]], [[heat conduction|conduction]], [[convection]], and [[evaporation]]. Cold stress is physiologically combated by shivering, accumulation of [[body fat]], circulatory adaptations (that provide an efficient transfer of heat to the epidermis), and increased blood flow to the extremities. There is one part of the body fully equipped to deal with cold stress. The [[respiratory system]] protects itself against damage by warming the incoming air to 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit before it reaches the [[bronchi]]. This means that not even the most frigid of temperatures can damage the respiratory tract. In both types of temperature related stress, it is important to remain well hydrated. Hydration reduces cardiovascular strain, enhances the ability of energy processes to occur, and reduces feelings of exhaustion. ==Altitude effects== Extreme temperatures are not the only obstacles that humans face. [[High altitude]]s also pose serious physiological challenges on the body. Some of these effects are reduced arterial P02, the rebalancing of the acid-base content in body fluids, increased [[hemoglobin]], increased RBC synthesis, enhanced circulation, and increased levels of the glycolysis byproduct 2,3 diphosphoglycerate which promotes off-loading of O<sub>2</sub> by hemoglobin in the hypoxic tissues. Environmental factors can play a huge role in the human body's fight for [[homeostasis]]. Fortunately, humans have found ways to adapt, both [[physiology|physiologically]] and tangibly. [[Category:physiology]] {{biology-stub}}