Final answer:
Elderly individuals are more prone to heat stroke because the number of functioning sweat glands decreases with age, reducing the body's ability to sweat and cool down effectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
Aging persons are more susceptible to heat stroke because the number of sweat glands decreases over time. As individuals age, their bodies often experience homeostatic imbalance, which can lead to a reduced ability to regulate body temperature effectively. This diminished thermoregulation capability is a result of several age-related physiological changes. Specifically, an older person may have fewer sweat glands that are less responsive, leading to reduced sweat production. Sweating is a critical mechanism for cooling the body as evaporation of sweat from the skin surface removes heat. Furthermore, aging can impair the ability of blood vessels to dilate, which reduces the body's capacity to release excess heat through the skin. These factors combined increase the risk of heat stroke among the elderly.