New
New
Year 11
AQA
Foundation

The role of the skin in thermoregulation

I can describe the roles of various parts of the skin in controlling human body temperature.

New
New
Year 11
AQA
Foundation

The role of the skin in thermoregulation

I can describe the roles of various parts of the skin in controlling human body temperature.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Human body temperature needs to be kept within a small range, around 37°C, to maintain body functions and health.
  2. Changes in the external environment can cause the internal body temperature to change.
  3. When temperature decreases, responses (erection of hairs, vasoconstriction) help to return body temperature to normal.
  4. When temperature increases, responses (sweating, vasodilation) help to return body temperature to normal.

Common misconception

Understanding why the physiological responses to higher or lower body temperatures occur is often confused, because although the processes themselves are familiar, the reasons behind them are not.

Detail has been included to explain carefully and one at a time the reasons for a range of physiological responses to high or low body temperature, and these are illustrated with clear, familiar diagrams.

Keywords

  • Vasoconstriction - The narrowing of blood vessels, reducing blood flow through them.

  • Insulation - A material that transfers energy by conduction very slowly or not at all.

  • Radiation - The process of emitting energy, often in the form of infrared waves, from an object.

  • Vasodilation - The widening of blood vessels, increasing blood flow through them.

Apply water to skin and use a paper fan to show how evaporation removes heat from skin, then apply something warm, like a microwavable heat pad, to skin to show how hairs lie flat. Students will be familiar with these responses, so make sure you clearly emphasise the reasons behind them.
Teacher tip

Equipment

None required.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
is the maintenance of a constant, optimal internal environment in response to internal and external changes.
Correct Answer: Homeostasis
Q2.
True or false? The skin is an organ.
Correct answer: true
false
Q3.
Which important part of an enzyme can become misshapen when exposed to high temperatures?
Correct Answer: Active site, The active site
Q4.
What is radiation?
absorbing energy from the surroundings
Correct answer: emitting energy from an object
the process of making heat energy
Q5.
What is the optimum human body temperature?
20°C
Correct answer: 37°C
47°C
27°C
50°C
Q6.
How does the body react to a decrease in temperature?
sweating
Correct answer: shivering
Correct answer: hairs stand up
increase in blood glucose concentration

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the label to the part of the skin.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer:a,hair

hair

Correct Answer:b,epidermis

epidermis

Correct Answer:c,erector pili muscle

erector pili muscle

Correct Answer:d,sweat gland

sweat gland

Correct Answer:e,temperature receptor

temperature receptor

Correct Answer:f,venule

venule

Q2.
True or false? Enzymes denature in hot and cold temperatures.
true
Correct answer: false
Q3.
Which are the responses to an increase in body temperature?
Correct answer: erector pili muscles relax
shivering
erector pili muscles contract
Correct answer: sweating
Correct answer: vasodilation
Q4.
Match the response to the effect it has.
Correct Answer:vasoconstriction,This reduces blood flow to the surface of the skin.

This reduces blood flow to the surface of the skin.

Correct Answer:vasodilation,This increases blood flow to the surface of the skin.

This increases blood flow to the surface of the skin.

Q5.
The Oak pupils are discussing what happens when the human body gets too hot. Who is correct?
Alex: Your erector pili muscles contract which makes your hairs stand up.
Correct answer: Sofia: Your erector pili muscles relax which makes your hairs lie flat.
Lucas: Your erector pili muscles contract which makes your hairs lie flat.
Laura: Your erector pili muscles relax which makes your hairs stand up.
Q6.
Which part of the skin produces sweat?
An image in a quiz
a
b
c
Correct answer: d
e