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... by returning to the original value. For example, the temperature control mechanism. Humans maintain body temperature within 1oC of 36.5. If the temperature rises too high, the resulting increase in blood temperature is detected by receptors in the hypothalamus in the brain. The heat loss centre also in the hypothalamus sends impulses to arteries and sweat glands which eventually results in a fall in temperature. Cold conditions are detected by receptors in the skin. The nervous system plays an important role in homeostatic functions. Hunger is an important homeostatic function as it tells us when to eat and when to stop eating. The role of the mouth in hunger was studied by Spiegel (1973). He asked participants to swallow a tube that delivered food directly to the stomach. The intake was established so that it maintained body weight but the meals weren't satisfying, the participants wanted to ...