1.2.4 vasodilation and vasoconstriction of the blood vessels to regulate blood distribution at rest and during exercise

Question 1

define vasodilation

Answer 1

blood vessels WIDEN in diameter to allow an increase of blood flow

Question 2

define vasoconstriction

Answer 2

blood vessels NARROW or CONSTRICT to decrease the blood flow

Question 3

what happens at rest

Answer 3

the onset of oxygen blood that would usually go to the stomach, kidneys or other vital organs gets redirected to the muscles.

Question 4

what happens during exercise

Answer 4

• blood vessels can dilate (widen) or constrict (narrow)

- redirect the flow of oxygenated blood to the working muscles and away from the non-essential organs and sites.

Question 5

how do vasodilation and vasoconstriction cool us down?

Answer 5

to cool us down, vessels vasodilate towards the skin surfaces and vasoconstrict to the body’s organs

Question 6

how do vasodilation and vasoconstriction heat us up?

Answer 6

To heat us up the blood vessels will vasoconstrict to the skin’s surface and vasodilate towards the body’s organs to maintain heat.