Describe how blood vessels are able to assist in the control of body temperature.

If body temperature is too high:

Capillaries dilate, increasing the blood supply to the skin and allowing heat to be lost from the body by radiation.

 

If body temperature is too low: 

Capillaries constrict, reducing blood flow to the surface of the skin and so heat loss by radiation is minimised.

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Answered by Merrin W. Biology tutor

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