Question 12 – 5.2 The human nervous system - Questions

An investigation was carried out to study the human thermoregulatory response to a localized cold stimulus. A healthy participant sat in a room maintained at a constant temperature of $21∘C21^\circ\text{C}$ . After $20$ minutes of complete rest, they rapidly consumed $cm3500\text{ cm}^3$ of an ice-cold water slurry at $0∘C0^\circ\text{C}$ . Their core body temperature (measured near the brain) and skin blood flow (measured in arbitrary units, $a.u.\text{a.u.}$ ) were monitored over an $80$ -minute period.

The results showed:

From $0$ to $20$ minutes, the core body temperature remained constant at $37.0∘C37.0^\circ\text{C}$ , and the skin blood flow was stable at a baseline level of $a.u.8.2\text{ a.u.}$ .
Shortly after consuming the cold slurry at minute $20$ , the core body temperature decreased, reaching a minimum of $36.4∘C36.4^\circ\text{C}$ at minute $35$ , before returning to $37.0∘C37.0^\circ\text{C}$ by minute $60$ .
The skin blood flow decreased from $a.u.8.2\text{ a.u.}$ to a minimum of $a.u.1.5\text{ a.u.}$ at minute $38$ , before gradually returning to its baseline level.

Questions:

State why it is important that the participant remained seated and inactive throughout the entire $80$ minutes of the investigation.

Explain why the core body temperature measured near the brain decreased shortly after drinking the cold water slurry.

Explain how the change in skin blood flow between $20$ minutes and $38$ minutes helps to return the core body temperature back to its normal level.

The results showed:

From $0$ to $20$ minutes, the core body temperature remained constant at $37.0∘C37.0^\circ\text{C}$ , and the skin blood flow was stable at a baseline level of $a.u.8.2\text{ a.u.}$ .
Shortly after consuming the cold slurry at minute $20$ , the core body temperature decreased, reaching a minimum of $36.4∘C36.4^\circ\text{C}$ at minute $35$ , before returning to $37.0∘C37.0^\circ\text{C}$ by minute $60$ .
The skin blood flow decreased from $a.u.8.2\text{ a.u.}$ to a minimum of $a.u.1.5\text{ a.u.}$ at minute $38$ , before gradually returning to its baseline level.

Questions:

State why it is important that the participant remained seated and inactive throughout the entire $80$ minutes of the investigation.

Explain why the core body temperature measured near the brain decreased shortly after drinking the cold water slurry.

Explain how the change in skin blood flow between $20$ minutes and $38$ minutes helps to return the core body temperature back to its normal level.

5.2 The human nervous system

Question 9

5.2 The human nervous system

Question 9

5.2 The human nervous system

Question 9

5.2 The human nervous system Questions

5.2 The human nervous system

Question 9

5.2 The human nervous system Questions