Final answer:
Receptors detect temperature increases, causing blood vessels to dilate and sweat glands to produce sweat. This results in heat being radiated away from the skin and evaporative cooling from sweat, preventing the body from overheating.
Step-by-step explanation:
Receptors, sweat glands, and blood vessels play crucial roles when the body is overheating. When body temperature rises, receptors located in the skin and the brain sense the increase and trigger a response. The brain sends commands which result in the dilation of blood vessels near the skin's surface; this process is known as vasodilation. As these vessels dilate, more blood flows closer to the surface of the skin, allowing heat to radiate away into the environment, aiding in cooling the body down.
Simultaneously, sweat glands are activated and produce sweat, which is secreted onto the skin. When this sweat evaporates, it carries heat away from the body with it, further helping to lower body temperature. This combination of sweating and increased blood flow to the skin is critical in thermoregulation, preventing the body from overheating during activities or in hot conditions.