Temperature regulationEdexcel A-Level Biology B: Flashcards

Exam questions on Temperature regulation

1. A scientist measures the body temperature of a desert lizard and of a mouse at air temperatures of 10 °C and 35 °C. At 10 °C the lizard's body temperature is 11 °C and the mouse's is 37 °C. At 35 °C the lizard's is 34 °C and the mouse's is 37 °C. The mouse uses more oxygen at 10 °C than at 35 °C. In the wild the lizard lies on warm rocks in the morning and shelters in a burrow at midday.
   Explain why the lizard basks on warm rocks in the morning and shelters in a burrow at midday.2 marks
2. A man walks from a warm room into cold air outdoors. Within a few minutes the skin on his hands looks pale, the hairs on his arms stand up and he begins to shiver. His core body temperature remains at about 37 °C.
   Explain how shivering and the raising of the hairs help the man to maintain his core temperature.2 marks
3. On a hot day a marathon runner's core temperature rises towards 38.5 °C. Her skin becomes flushed and she sweats heavily. The air is humid and she notices that the sweat drips off her rather than drying.
   Describe how the autonomic nervous system brings about the flushed skin and the sweating.3 marks