Video Transcript
Which of the following structures
of the skin is not confirmed to be involved in the regulation of body
temperature? (A) Blood capillaries, (B) sweat
glands, (C) sensory nerve endings, (D) melanin-producing cells.
In order to answer this question,
let’s look at a section of skin and its different structures to see which one is not
involved in regulating body temperature.
Starting from the bottom, we can
see a sensory nerve. Sensory nerves can detect stimuli
from the outside environment, including pain, touch, and temperature. This information is ultimately used
by the body to help regulate its internal temperature. So answer choice (C) is
incorrect.
Blood capillaries are small vessels
that carry blood to and from the skin. Blood capillaries can dilate or
constrict in response to temperature. For example, if the body is
overheating, the capillaries can dilate to move more blood to the skin so it can
cool down. And if the body is cold, the
capillaries can constrict so more blood is directed to the center of the body, where
the vital organs are located. So answer choice (A) is
incorrect.
Sweat glands secrete sweat, which
is important in removing some wastes from the body. Sweat can also regulate the body’s
temperature by a phenomenon called evaporative cooling. This is where sweat absorbs heat
from the body and evaporates, which cools the body in the process. So answer choice (B) is
incorrect.
Melanin-producing cells are found
in the uppermost layer of skin and create a pigment called melanin. Melanin makes the skin appear
darker and protects against harmful UV radiation. Therefore, the structure of the
skin that is not involved in the regulation of body temperature is given by answer
choice (D), melanin-producing cells.
