Question

If room temperature decreases and heat loss from the body increases, then body temperature will decrease. The body's responses, aka ____ _____ _____, such as (3), will come into play to try to get to the new steady state.

a) Thermoregulatory mechanisms; sweating, vasoconstriction, increased metabolic rate
b) Circulatory adaptations; vasodilation, shivering, panting
c) Homeostatic reflexes; blushing, reduced respiratory rate, increased appetite
d) Behavioral adjustments; seeking warmth, reduced physical activity, increased digestion

Answer 1

Thermoregulatory mechanisms, including sweating, vasoconstriction, and increased metabolic rate, are the body's response to counteract a decrease in room temperature and increased body heat loss.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is:

a) **Thermoregulatory mechanisms; sweating, vasoconstriction, increased metabolic rate**

When the room temperature decreases and the body experiences increased heat loss, the body's internal temperature tends to decrease as well. To maintain a stable internal temperature (homeostasis), the body activates various **thermoregulatory mechanisms**. These mechanisms aim to counteract the loss of heat and restore the body's temperature to its normal range.

Among the options provided, thermoregulatory mechanisms such as sweating (which facilitates evaporative cooling), vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels to reduce heat loss), and increased metabolic rate (generating heat through metabolic processes) are responses that the body employs to regulate temperature and counteract the effects of external temperature changes.

Options b, c, and d contain some elements that might contribute to temperature regulation or comfort, but they do not specifically address the suite of physiological responses that are directly involved in maintaining the body's internal temperature within its normal range, which is the essence of thermoregulation.