Bill is outside on a snowy day without a warm coat His skin

Bill is outside on a snowy day without a warm coat. His skin is pale and chilled and he begins to shiver. Explain how these responses are attempts of his body to maintain homeostasis of temperature. What other responses might raise his body temperature?

Solution

Shivering is type of thermoregulatory response of body to generate heat by contracting muscles. Shivering will cause contraction of muscles which in turn will generate heat to warm the body. The body of Bill will adopt following kinds of responses to generate heat and minimize heat loss.

1. Contraction of small smooth muscles (arrector pili), which are attached to hair shafts; this distorts the surface of the skin making hair shaft stand erect (called goose bumps or pimples) which slows the movement of air across the skin and minimizes heat loss.

2. The body will inherently source and spend its energy levels differently in order to keep itself warm. During this process, the body will reduce some of its muscle contractions and reallocate the amount of carbohydrates used.

Other responses of body to raise body temperature are;

1. Body will increase metabolism of days to generate more heat.

2. Blood flow to extremities such as hands and feet will reduce to minimise heat loss.