2.93 Describe the Role of the Skin in Temperature Regulation, with Reference to Sweating, Vasoconstriction and Vasodilation

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THERMOREGULATION: Maintenance of optimum body temperature for optimum enzyme activity

HOT	COLD
Diagram showing Response of Skin to Hot Environment	Diagram showing Response of Skin to Cold Environment
When in hot environment, increase in body temperature is detected by Thermoreceptors As a result, series of changes occurs in body via thermoregulation Blood vessels near skin dilate via Vasodilation to increase blood flow to surface for heat loss Sweat glands excrete sweat to cool skin via evaporative cooling Hair Erector Muscles relax to lower Skin hair, trapping a thin insulating layer of air above the Skin for heat loss	When in Cold environment, decrease in body temperature is detected by Thermoreceptors As a result, series of changes occurs in body via thermoregulation Blood vessels near skin contract via Vasoconstriction to reduce blood flow to surface to minimise heat loss Sweat glands do not excrete sweat to prevent evaporative cooling Hair Erector Muscles contract to raise Skin hair, trapping a thick insulating layer of air above the skin to prevent heat loss