Weather and human comfort Flashcards
What is metabolism?
processes that convert food to energy to sustain body’s functioning
What happens to IR in relation to the body?
the body loses heat by emitting infrared energy, and along with that, the body absorbs it.
What happens to sensible heat in relation to the body?
sensible heat enters and exits the body
What happens to evaporation in relation to the body?
evaporation only exits the body
What is the goal to the body?
maintain homeostasis
What is homeostasis?
the maintaining of a constant core body temperature
What is the average core temperature?
98.6 degrees F
What does low core temperature mean?
hypothermia
What does high core temperature mean?
hyperthermia
Why does the skin create an insulating layer of air, and what does it result in?
block out the cooler air resulting in sensible heat being lost
How can a human develop low core temperature?
exposure to cold environment
drug and alcohol use
improperly functioning thyroid
What’s the body’s response to low core temperature?
muscle shivering to generate heat
thyroid releases hormones to increase metabolism
vasoconstriction
What is frostbite?
partial freezing of exposed parts of the body, causing injury to the skin and sometimes to deeper tissues
What causes frostbite?
high winds, in below-freezing air, can remove heat from exposed skin so quickly that the skin may freeze and discolor.
What is Wind Chill Index?
cooling effect of any combination of temperature and wind
What is the core temperature for Hypothermia?
<95 degrees F (35 degrees C)
What if your skin is warmer than the surrounding air (wet bulb temperature)?
results in strong evaporation and rapid cooling of the air
What if your skin temperature was about equal to the environment’s temperature?
results in reduced evaporation and slight cooling of the skin
What if the skin’s temperature was lower than the environment’s temperature?
results in no evaporation from the skins, but instead, the body will gain heat from the atmosphere
Where does high core temperature come from?
exposure to a hot environment
exercise
digestion
fever
What is the body’s response to high core temperature?
sweating
vasodilation
What is the consequence of the inter-relation between health and excessive heat?
Heat Cramps
Heat Exhaustion
Heat Stroke
