Name ……….…………………………………….

ACTIVITY: The skin and temperature control

Key concepts
Before you start, make sure you are familiar with the concepts and terms below. In the each space write your
understanding of the term: (1)

Thermoregulation ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Homeostasis …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Evaporation ………………….………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Convection ……….………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Negative feedback model……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
After completing the activity and discussing your findings, you may need to revisit these terms and adjust or
extend what you have written.

Introduction
Body temperature in humans is normally around 370C. This temperature varies little, even when external
conditions change dramatically. What are some adaptations that mammals have to help maintain a fairly
constant body temperature?

Purpose
To use modeling to simulate heat loss from an exposed surface such as the skin.

Materials
Each group requires:
o hot water
o 4 thin test tubes
o 1 thick test tube
o 4 thermometers
o 4 beakers
o rubber band
o measuring cylinder
o cotton wool
o stopwatch
o fan (one to be shared by the whole class)
o spray bottle of warm water.
METHOD

Part A: The effect of insulation on heat loss

o Take three test tubes, labelled A, B and C, and place in separate beakers.
o Wrap test tube A in cotton wool (insulating material).
o Place test tube B in the thicker test tube with the same amount of wool on the outside of the larger
test tube (so there is a layer of air between the test tube and the insulation). Block the gap
between the test tube and test tube with wool.
o Test tube C has no insulating material around it. What is this test tube for?

o Fill all three test tubes with 20 mL water at approximately 800C.

o Insert a thermometer in each test tube and begin recording the temperature as soon as possible
after the water is added. Record the temperature every minute for 10 minutes. Record your results
in Table 8.1 under 'Observations' below.

o Graph your results.

Part B: Effect of moisture on heat loss

o Take four test tubes, each covered in cotton wool, and place in the four beakers. Label them 1, 2, 3
and 4.

o Spray the outside of test tubes 1 and 3 with warm water to ensure the cotton wool is moist.

o Place test tubes 1 and 2 in front of a fan and keep test tubes 3 and 4 in an area without air
movement.

o Fill all four test tubes with 20 mL water at approximately 800C.

o Insert a thermometer in each test tube and record the temperature as soon as possible after the
water is added. Record the temperature every minute for 10 minutes. Record your results in Table
8.2 under “Observations”.

o Graph your results

 Table 4.1
Test Tube Start 1min 2min 3 min 4 min 5 min 6 min 7 min 8 min 9 min 10 min
A (Cotton wool)
0C

B (cardboard)
0C

C (no covering)
0C

Table 4.2
Test Tube Start 1 min 2 min 3 min 4 min 5 min 6 min 7 min 8 min 9 min 10min
1
wet/fan
2
dry/fan
3
wet/still
4
dry/still
4 marks (results table 2 marks, graphing 2 marks)
Discussion questions
1. Which test tube in Part A was the most effective at reducing heat loss? Can you suggest what
makes this set-up the most effective at reducing heat loss? (1)

2. What structural feature of mammals is the cotton wool simulating? (1)

3. How can an insulating layer of air be achieved in mammals? (1)

4. How can the results from test tube B be used to explain the observation that a cat looks larger on
colder days than on hotter days? (1)

5. Which test tube in Part B was the most effective at increasing heat loss? (1)

6. Which part of the experiment modeled the role of perspiration in maintaining body temperature?
Explain. (1)

7. Based on your results, can you suggest why you tend to feel cooler on a hot windy day compared
with a hot still day? (1)

8. Taking into account your observations in this experiment, explain why panting in dogs is an
effective way of losing body heat. (1)

9. Were any experimental controls used in Part A and Part B of this investigation? If so, explain what
these were. (1)

10. Why are animals like frogs at greater risk of death on a windy, hot day? Explain, using your
experimental results to support your answer. (1)

11. Draw a diagram of a negative feedback model, using the examples of thermoregulation
investigated in this experiment. Are all components of a feedback model completely demonstrated
in this experimental setup? Explain your answer. (2)

12. When the body temperature in mammals starts to drop, a number of things happen. Describe some
of these, including both physiological and behavioral responses. Are any of these responses being
modeled in this experimental set-up? Explain. (2)

Conclusion:

Make a statement in relation to the aim. (1)

TOTAL MARKS: 20