When we think body temperature we usually think of core body temperature, the te
ID: 188445 • Letter: W
Question
When we think body temperature we usually think of core body temperature, the temperature inside the trunk, the chest and abdomen. This is the temperature you measure with a rectal thermometer. An oral, ear or forehead thermometer gives an estimate of what your core temperature is. The surface temperature thermometer we are using in this lab literally measure the temperature of the skin it is on, not the core temperature. This short exercise is to demonstrate the differences between core temperature and the temperature of extremities. We are going to assume everyone has a core temperature of 37oC (98.6oF).
Supplies Needed
In Lab Kit: Surface thermometer
Lab procedure
Use the surface body temperature probe. Place the probe on each body part and leave it there 30 seconds before making the temperature measurement. The temperature needs to be read while the probe is on your skin because as soon as you remove it the temperature drops dramatically. Your skin temperature is read by the location of the colored band across the scale. The band won’t show up until the temperature is high enough. In addition, the colored band on the thermometer that gives the temperature is faint so you may need to adjust lighting conditions to see it easily.
The Fahrenheit measurements are easy to read, the numbers are given directly. The Celsius temperatures are not quite as obvious. 27 and 30 are clearly marked but the next several numbered points are 2, 4, and 6. These mean 32, 34 and 36 respectively. Make sure you understand how to read the temperature before you start taking data. If you need help converting from Fahrenheit to Celsius or Celsius to Fahrenheit you can click here or use this webpage: http://www.allmeasures.com/temperature.html
In addition to skin temperature measurements you will need to measure the temperature of the room (or outdoors) where you are doing this experiment. If you can’t do this directly, make an estimate. Usually room temperature is reported to be 20oC (68oF). You will also record whether or not the spot at which you measured the temperature was (or is) covered by clothing (or a blanket etc.).
The adhesive on the thermometer strips is not meant to be used repeatedly so after a few measurements it may not adhere well to your skin. You can remedy this by using some kind of clear tape on top to keep it in place.
Record your data and answer the questions on the report page.
Report Page: Name
Fill in the following table with your temperatures in both Fahrenheit (oF) and Celsius (oC). Some of the temperatures may be too low for the thermometer to read. In this case write "below 79oF (26oC)" in the temperature boxes.
Temperature of the room in oC and oF : oC oF
Fill in this table
Temperature (oF)
Temperature (oC)
Covered (yes or no)
Forehead
Neck
Upper arm
Hand
Stomach
Upper leg
Lower leg
Foot
Questions:
3. Describe how accurate you think your results are and why.
4. Describe any problems you encountered and how you handled them.
5. What conclusions can you draw about the relative temperatures of various extremities, your measurements of core temperature (forehead and trunk) verses a presumed core temperature of 98.6 oF (37oC)?
6. Does covering the skin affect the skin’s surface temperature? Explain your answer.
7. Describe how this experiment could be improved, to make it better scientifically.
Temperature (oF)
Temperature (oC)
Covered (yes or no)
Forehead
Neck
Upper arm
Hand
Stomach
Upper leg
Lower leg
Foot
Explanation / Answer
Temperature (oF)
Temperature (oC)
Covered (yes or no)
Forehead
95.36
35.2
No
Neck
95.18
35.1
No
Upper arm
93.2
34.0
No
Hand
92.84
33.8
No
Stomach
95
35.0
Yes
Upper leg
92.66
33.7
No
Lower leg
88.88
31.6
No
Foot
86.72
30.4
No
Heat loss and heat gain are involved in maintenance of body temperature. Physiological responses are stimulated by hormones. The heat loss center is coordinated by preoptic area of the hypothalamus. There are 4 processes for heat exchange with the environment and they are radiation, convection, evaporation and conduction. Sensible, insensible perspiration is caused by evaporation
The primary mechanism for increasing the heat loss from the body mainly includes the vaso motor center inhibition and respiratory heat loss. The peripheral vasodilation raises the skin temperature and allows the radiational and convectional heat loss to increase. The respiratory center is stimulated increasing the depth of the respiration. Respiration through open mouth is initiated than through nasal passages thus, increasing evaporative heat loss through lungs. The sensible and insensible perspiration are a mechanism of heat transfer through evaporation. The behavioral changes are like getting in to shade and trying to reduce the body temperature only to some extent.
Stimulation of respiratory center allows the individual respire through open mouth and increases the heat loss through lungs. Stimulation of sweat glands increases the secretory output causing perspiration. Peripheral vaso constriction reduces the blood flow thereby reducing the loss of heat. Peripheral vaso dilation inhibits the vaso motor center and raises the skin temperature.
The heat gain center responds to low body temperature by two methods-increased body heat generation and conservation of body heat. The body heat generation can be increased by nonshivering and shivering thermo genesis. The non shivering thermo genesis is due to release of hormones like epinephrine that promotes the rate of glycogenolysis in liver and skeletal muscle. Shivering thermo genesis increases the muscle tone thereby increasing the energy consumption by skeletal muscle tissue. The agonist and antagonist muscles are involved stimulating the stretch receptors and oscillatory contractions by producing shiver. Shivering elevates the body temperature.
Conservation of body heat is caused due to vaso construction that reduces the blood flow in the peripheral region reducing the heat loss by radiation and convection. The concurrent exchange causes transfer heat between fluids and solutes that move in opposite directions.
Temperature (oF)
Temperature (oC)
Covered (yes or no)
Forehead
95.36
35.2
No
Neck
95.18
35.1
No
Upper arm
93.2
34.0
No
Hand
92.84
33.8
No
Stomach
95
35.0
Yes
Upper leg
92.66
33.7
No
Lower leg
88.88
31.6
No
Foot
86.72
30.4
No
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