Department of Energy Argonne National Laboratory Office of Science NEWTON's Homepage NEWTON's Homepage
NEWTON, Ask A Scientist!
NEWTON Home Page NEWTON Teachers Visit Our Archives Ask A Question How To Ask A Question Question of the Week Our Expert Scientists Volunteer at NEWTON! Frequently Asked Questions Referencing NEWTON About NEWTON About Ask A Scientist Education At Argonne Red blood cells and body heat 
Name: Jeremy D Phillips
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: N/A
Question:
What, if anything, do red blood cells have to do with the regulation of body heat?


Replies:
Red blood cells have very little to do with temperature regulation, but blood is very important as a fluid. When you are cold, the body directs blood flow away from hands and feet so the blood doesn't get cooled off out there. When you are hot, blood is sent preferentially to the skin, especially face, so heat can be dissipated. That is why you turn red when you are hot.

--ProfBill


Click here to return to the Biology Archives

NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.

For assistance with NEWTON contact a System Operator (help@newton.dep.anl.gov), or at Argonne's Educational Programs

NEWTON AND ASK A SCIENTIST
Educational Programs
Building 360
9700 S. Cass Ave.
Argonne, Illinois
60439-4845, USA
Update: June 2012
Weclome To Newton

Argonne National Laboratory