controlling body temperature

Question 1

describe what happens when you’re too hot

Answer 1

-hair erector muscle relaxes so hairs lie flat
-sweat is produced by sweat glands and evaporates from the skin to transfer energy to the environment
-vasoconstriction: blood vessels supplying the skin constrict to close off the skin’s blood supply, reducing unwanted energy transfers

Question 2

describe what happens when you’re too cold

Answer 2

-hair erector muscle contract so hairs stand up to trap and insulating layer of air
-no sweat is produced to conserve energy
-vasodilation: blood vessels supplying the skin dilate so more blood flows close to the surface of the skin to transfer energy from the skin to the environment
-muscles contract to shiver, transferring energy to warm he body through respiration

Question 3

how does the dilation of blood vessels decrease temperature?

Answer 3

-blood vessels widen so it increases the flow of blood to the surface of the skin
-allows more heat and energy to be lost to the environment
-cools you down as less heat is conserved

Question 4

how does the constriction of blood vessels increase temperature?

Answer 4

-blood vessels constrict so it decreases the flow of blood
-allows less heat and energy to be lost to the environment
-heats you up as more heat is conserved to be used