Question

In a patient, the hypothalamic thermostat was reset from point A to point C as shown below. Which of the following happens in stage A compared to stage B?

• A. Shivering
• B. Sweating
• C. Increased blood flow to skin
• D. Inhibition of chemical thermogenesis

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

In physiology, the hypothalamic thermostat regulates body temperature by adjusting physiological processes. In the given question, the thermostat is said to move from point A to point C, indicating a response to temperature changes. Let's analyze the options in relation to changes from stage A to stage B.

• When the body is cold or moving from a lower to a higher thermostat setting (A to B), it may conserve heat by decreasing blood flow to the skin to minimize heat loss. Hence, stage A might be characterized by less blood flow to the skin.
• In contrast, as the hypothalamic thermostat moves to a setting indicating a warmer condition at stage B, the body would increase blood flow to the skin to promote heat loss to the environment, as a natural cooling mechanism.
• Therefore, the most logical choice would be that stage A has increased blood flow to the skin compared to stage B, where the aim is to dissipate excess heat.

Process	Stage A	Stage B
Temperature modulation	Cooling	Warming
Blood flow to skin	Increased	Decreased

Based on this analysis, the correct answer is: Increased blood flow to skin.