Effect of Vascularity on Skin Temperature Recovery

What you will learn today . . . Homeostasis refers to the body’s ability to maintain internal conditions within a certain range Many of the body’s chemical reactions have to take place at this temperature, regardless of the temperature outside the body The human skin is designed to detect changes in temperature and respond to them by its complicated structure The dermis of the skin either allows or prevents blood flow to the surface of the skin Skin with more blood vessels at its surface (vascularity) will return to the set point more quickly after a temperature change

Homeostasis in Body Temperature What is normal body temperature? Many of the body’s chemical reactions have to take place at this temperature, regardless of the temperature outside the body The human skin is designed to detect changes in temperature and respond to them by its complicated structure

Side View of the Skin Figure 1

Homeostasis in Body Temperature The dermis of the skin either allows or prevents blood flow to the surface of the skin Arteries constrict if it is cool to slow down blood flow Arteries dilate if it is hot to increase blood flow; this produces a red, flushed appearance

Skin Temperature What is normal skin temperature? This is the set point of the skin Skin with more blood vessels at its surface (vascularity) will return to the set point more quickly after a temperature change

What you will do? You will compare the rate of recovery from cold in two different skin regions and draw conclusions about the vascularity of these areas. Figure 2 Figure 3

Make Your Hypothesis Rank the following body parts by their vascularity: Thigh Upper Arm Palm of the Hand Kneecap Face Calf Shin

Results