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Unit 3 - Changes in Capillary Blood Flow for Heat Loss (H)
When we exercise, the skin looks red due to increased blood flow in the skin capillaries.

Unit 3 - Changes in Capillary Blood Flow for Heat Loss (H)

GCSE Biology explains how your body controls temperature by changing blood flow in the skin. Tiny surface vessels widen or narrow to lose extra heat or conserve warmth.

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Fascinating Fact:

In cold conditions, the skin arterioles narrow, which is called vasoconstriction. This reduces blood flow through surface capillaries.

In GCSE Biology, you learn how blood flow in skin capillaries is adjusted to help control body temperature. Widening or narrowing surface vessels changes how quickly heat moves out of the body.

  • Capillary: A very small blood vessel with thin walls where exchange of substances and heat between the blood and tissues takes place.
  • Vasodilation: The widening of blood vessels supplying the skin so that more blood flows near the surface, allowing extra heat to be lost.
  • Thermoregulation: The process of keeping body temperature within a narrow, safe range by changing blood flow, sweating, and other responses.
How do skin capillaries help the body lose heat?

When you are too warm, blood vessels supplying the skin become wider and more blood flows through surface capillaries. This increases heat transfer from the blood to the air around the body.

What is the difference between vasodilation and vasoconstriction?

Vasodilation is when blood vessels widen so more blood reaches the skin and more heat is lost. Vasoconstriction is when vessels become narrower so less blood reaches the surface and heat loss is reduced.

Why is changing blood flow to the skin important in GCSE Biology?

Changing blood flow to the skin is important because it helps maintain a stable core temperature. Keeping body temperature close to 37 °C allows enzymes to work efficiently and protects vital organs.

1 .
When blood vessels tighten and have a smaller lumen, we call this...
vasoconstriction
vasodilation
vasomotion
vasodirection
This reduces the volume of blood that can pass through the blood vessels
2 .
Name the special cells responsible for detecting temperature changes.
Chemoreceptors
Thermoreceptors
Neuroreceptors
Baroreceptors
Chemoreceptors detect chemical changes, for example carbon dioxide levels
3 .
Skin contains thermoreceptors which send messages to which of the following, to start body responses to maintain body temperature?
Heart
Skin
Thermoregulatory centre
Adrenal gland
This is an example of a feedback system in the body
4 .
Which of the following encourages heat loss by evaporation?
Sweating
Urinating
Excretion
Breathing
Evaporation of water in sweat cools the skin due to the change of state from a liquid to a gas
5 .
To allow for more heat loss, the vessels supplying the skin capillaries undergo...
vasoconstriction
vasodilation
no change
leakage of fluid
Skin looks red due to vasodilation. This increases blood flow to the surface of the skin, allowing greater heat loss
6 .
Thermoregulation is an example of...
keeping warm
homeostasis
hormonal control
keeping fit
Homeostasis is maintaining a constant internal environment. Internal body temperature needs to be kept within narrow limits
7 .
Name the part of the brain that controls body temperature in mammals.
Medulla
Cortex
Thermoregulatory centre
Cerebellum
Receptor cells detect whether the blood is abnormally hot or abnormally cold
8 .
When we are cold, muscles shiver to increase...
heat generation
heat loss
cooling
evaporation
Shivering means that the muscles are working harder and therefore respiration will be greater, generating more heat
9 .
When we exercise, the skin looks red due to...
more blood being pumped round the body
less blood to the muscles
increased blood flow in the skin capillaries
increased sweating
This helps to get rid of excess heat from the core of the body
10 .
What is the core temperature for humans, in degrees C?
38
37
37.4
36
Enzymes start to become denatured at temperatures above 37 degrees C
Author:  Donna Davidson (GCSE Biology Teacher & Examiner, Quiz Writer)

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