12.4: Data Analysis and Discussion

Instructions

Discussion should be typed (double spaced, size 12 font and standard 1” margins). There are no specific length requirements for this discussion but be sure to address all the components in the prompt below. You will submit this discussion along with your sketches and observations for your completed lab report.

Prompt/Questions to Address

Write a discussion for this experiment which explores how the concepts of homeostasis and feedback mechanisms were illustrated in this lab. Be sure to address each of the following in your discussion:

1. Evaluate the data and analyze the trends observed. Compare how skin temperature, core temperature, and heart rate changed over time following both cold and warm water exposure. What overall trends do you notice, and how do these trends illustrate the body’s attempt to maintain homeostasis through negative feedback mechanisms?
2. Explain the physiological mechanisms at play. Describe the specific physiological responses (e.g., vasoconstriction, vasodilation, shivering, sweating) that occurred during each temperature treatment. How did these responses help stabilize internal body conditions?
3. Reflect on the experiment. Why did skin temperature change more rapidly than core temperature in your data? What does this tell you about how the body prioritizes different regions during thermal stress? Would repeated exposure to the same stimulus change the response? Why or why not?