Sunday, 15 June 2014

2.89 describe the role of the skin in temperature regulation, with reference to sweating, vasoconstriction and vasodilation

Skin in Homeostasis

Sweating

When you get too hot, sweat is produced and lays on your skin. It is heated by the body and when it evaporates it takes the energy from the body with it. It takes your body's heat energy thus cooling your body down.

Vasoconstriction & vasodilation

When it's your too hot:
Blood vessels near the surface of the skin widen - vasodilate - which allows more blood to flow near the surface of the skin. This allows more heat to radiate out of the blood to the environment.

When it's too cold:
Blood vessels near the surface of the skin constrict - vasoconstrict - so less heat can be radiated to the surroundings.

NB: Two more useful points - 
When you're too hot:
Hairs lie flat

When you're too cold:
You shiver which generates heat in the muscles
Hairs stand on end which traps an insulating layer of air above your skin

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