Which of the following best explains why sweating is important to humans in maintaining suitable body temperature?
A) Functioning of the sweat gland absorbs energy that otherwise would go into heating the body.
B) The high specific heat of water on the skin absorbs heat from the body.
C) Evaporation of moisture from the skin extracts heat from the body.
D) Moisture on the skin increases thermal conductivity, thereby allowing heat to flow out of the body more effectively.
E) None of the other choices is correct.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When we sweat, the moisture on our skin evaporates, which extracts heat from our body and cools us down. This helps to maintain a suitable body temperature. Option A is incorrect because sweating does not absorb energy, it releases it. Option B is incorrect because water on the skin has a low specific heat, not a high one. Option D is incorrect because moisture on the skin reduces thermal conductivity, which is why wet clothing often feels colder.

Which of the Following Best Explains Why Sweating Is Important