Skin and Temperature Control

Question 0

Describe vasodilation

Answer 0

Blood capillaries dilate/get wider to allow more blood to flow to the skin’s surface, heat is then lost by radiation

Question 1

What happens when sweat is produced and how does it cool down the body?

Answer 1

Sweat is produced by the sweat gland

It travels down the sweat duct and is released by the sweat pore

Evaporation of sweat causes heat loss

Question 2

What is shivering?

Answer 2

Uncontrolled muscle contraction to generate heat

Question 3

Describe vasoconstriction

Answer 3

Blood capillaries get narrower so less blood flows to the skins surface, reducing heat loss

Question 4

What happens to hairs in cold temperatures?

Answer 4

Hairs stand on end, due to the erector muscle, trapping a warm, insulating layer of air next to the skin

Question 5

What happens to hairs in hot temperatures?

Answer 5

Hairs lie flat to prevent further heating