Final answer:
Thermoregulation is the body's mechanism for maintaining its internal temperature within a healthy range, managed by the hypothalamus through various heating and cooling processes such as shivering and sweating.
Step-by-step explanation:
The body's ability to maintain its temperature within a healthy range is referred to as thermoregulation. This process is central to homeostasis, allowing the body to operate efficiently regardless of external conditions. The hypothalamus in the brain acts like a thermostat, coordinating the body's response to temperature fluctuations.
When the body needs to warm up, mechanisms such as shivering and the action of thyroid hormone increase heat production. Conversely, to cool down, processes like sweating, vasodilation, and the increased circulation of blood near the skin's surface aid in heat dissipation. The hypothalamus adjusts these responses to maintain a steady core temperature, establishing a thermal equilibrium even during states such as fever where the set point is temporarily raised.