Describe how blood vessels help to control body temperature?

In hot environments, blood vessels under the surface of the skin dilate to allow more blood to flow through them. This causes more heat to be lost from the blood to the environment so body temperature decreases to a normal level.
In cold environments, the opposite occurs and the blood vessels under the surface of the skin constrict. This makes it harder for blood to flow through them and less heat is lost from the blood to the environment. Body temperature is able to increase back to a normal level.

AC
Answered by Annabel C. Biology tutor

3366 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

A student wants to study red blood cells beneath a microscope. She is not sure which solution she should use to observe such cells. In solution A, she sees figure A (plasmolysis) and in solution B she sees nothing. Can you explain her observations?


Describe how pathogens cause infections and describe how the immune system defends itself against these pathogens


Why, beyond a certain point, does a higher temperature no longer correspond to a higher rate of enzyme activity?


What are biofuels? Give names of at least two biological sources.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning