The graph below shows the effect of environmental temperature on a girl's skin temperature and on her internal body temperature. Which statement best describes what happens as environmental temperature increases from 20ºC to 30ºC?
A. Both the internal and the skin temperatures reach 40ºC.
B. Both the internal and the skin temperatures increase by about 7ºC.
C. The skin temperature decreases to about 30ºC.
D. The internal temperature increases by about 1ºC.
D) The internal temperature increases by about 1ºC.
- Correct: As environmental temperature increases from 20ºC to 30ºC, the body's internal temperature tends to increase slightly. This is due to the body's thermoregulatory mechanisms, which work to maintain a relatively constant internal temperature (around 37ºC or 98.6ºF) despite fluctuations in environmental temperature. When the environmental temperature rises, the body responds by increasing blood flow to the skin and by initiating mechanisms such as sweating to dissipate heat and maintain thermal equilibrium. However, the increase in environmental temperature may result in a slight increase in internal temperature, typically by about 1ºC, as the body works to dissipate excess heat.
A) Both the internal and the skin temperatures reach 40ºC.
- Incorrect: A 10ºC increase in environmental temperature from 20ºC to 30ºC is not likely to cause both internal and skin temperatures to reach 40ºC. Such a significant increase would likely lead to heatstroke or hyperthermia, which can be life-threatening.
B) Both the internal and the skin temperatures increase by about 7ºC.
- Incorrect: A 10ºC increase in environmental temperature is not likely to cause both internal and skin temperatures to increase by about 7ºC. Such a large increase in temperature would be excessive and would likely lead to severe heat-related illnesses.
C) The skin temperature decreases to about 30ºC.
- Incorrect: In response to an increase in environmental temperature, the body typically increases blood flow to the skin and initiates mechanisms such as sweating to dissipate heat. This would not result in a decrease in skin temperature to match the environmental temperature of 30ºC.
Therefore, the Correct Answer is D.