By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Understand what is meant by consciousness
Explain how circadian rhythms are involved in regulating the sleep-wake cycle, and how circadian cycles can be disrupted
Discuss the concept of sleep debt

Thermoregulation is the ability of an endothermic organism to maintain a relatively constant body temperature, despite fluctuations in temperature of the external environment. This is a vital part of homeostasis.