Sweating is the primary heat-loss mechanism when the environmental temperature is high and the normal temperature gradient between the skin and environment cannot be established. This is because sweating allows for evaporative heat loss, which helps to reduce the body's internal temperature. Vasodilation of the skin vessels and increased insulative capacity of the skin are not direct results of sweating.

Solved

Sweating

Question 40

Multiple Choice

Sweating

A) causes vasodilation of the skin vessels
B) increases the insulative capacity of the skin so that less heat can be gained from the environment
C) is the only heat-loss mechanism available to the body when the environmental temperature is so high that a normal temperature gradient between the skin and the environment cannot be established
D) both a and b
E) both b and c

Correct Answer: