Gizmo Lab Activity: Human Homeostasis
Name: Date:
Vocabulary: dehydration, heat stroke, homeostasis, hypothermia, involuntary, thermoregulation,
voluntary
Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)
A thermostat is a device that regulates the temperature inside a building.
What does a thermostat do if it gets too cool?
What does a thermostat do if it gets too hot?
How do our bodies sometimes act like a thermostat?
Gizmo Warm-up
To survive, an organism must be able to maintain
stable internal conditions in a changing environment.
This process is called homeostasis. The Human
Homeostasis Gizmo™ allows you to explore how the
human body stays at a nearly constant temperature in
different conditions. Notice the Air temp. and Body
temp. thermometers representing the air temperature
and body temperature.
What is the initial air temperature? 1. The
initial air
temperature
is 0°C,32°F.
What is the initial body temperature? 1. The
initial body
temperature
is
37°C,99°F.
Next to each factor listed below, write “increase,” “decrease,” or “same” based on how you
expect that factor to affect body temperature.
Raising air temperature: Increase Sweating: Decrease
Lowering air temperature: Decrease Shivering: Increase
Adding clothing: Increase Exercising: Increase
, Activity A: Get the Gizmo ready:
Body temperature ● If necessary, click Reset ( ).
Question: What factors increase or decrease body temperature?
Observe: With the Air temp. at 0 °C (32 °F) and Body temp. at 37 °C (99 °F), click Play ( ).
After one simulated hour (does not have to be exact), click Pause ( ).
What is the body temperature after one hour? The body
temperature after
one hour is
36°C,97°F.
Gather data: Fill in the first line of the data table below. Then, use the same procedure to test
the effect of each of the following factors. Click Reset between each trial. Record the initial and
final body temperatures in the table below. (Leave the last column blank.)
● Set the Exercise level to 70%. (All other settings in default position.)
● Set the Sweat level to 70%.
● Under Body position, select Shivering.
● Next to Clothing, click Add four times to add a sweatshirt, hat, pants, and parka.
Initial body Body temp. Effect of factor on body
Factor
temp. after one hour temperature
Standing still 37°C,99°F 36°C,97°F Decrease body temperature
37°C,99°F 38°C,100° Increase body temperature
Exercising
F
Sweating 37°C,99°F 35°C,95°F Decrease body temperature
Shivering 37°C,99°F 37°C,99°F Same body temperature
Adding clothing 37°C,99°F 37°C,99°F Same body temperature
Analyze: To determine the effect of a factor on body temperature, compare the final body
temperature with that factor to the final body temperature while standing still. Based on this
comparison, fill in the last column of the data table above.
Which factor raised body temperature the most? A. Exercising raised
the temperature the
most.
Why do you think this process raises body temperature?
Increase blood flow
Which factor lowered body temperature the most? Sweating lowered the
Name: Date:
Vocabulary: dehydration, heat stroke, homeostasis, hypothermia, involuntary, thermoregulation,
voluntary
Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)
A thermostat is a device that regulates the temperature inside a building.
What does a thermostat do if it gets too cool?
What does a thermostat do if it gets too hot?
How do our bodies sometimes act like a thermostat?
Gizmo Warm-up
To survive, an organism must be able to maintain
stable internal conditions in a changing environment.
This process is called homeostasis. The Human
Homeostasis Gizmo™ allows you to explore how the
human body stays at a nearly constant temperature in
different conditions. Notice the Air temp. and Body
temp. thermometers representing the air temperature
and body temperature.
What is the initial air temperature? 1. The
initial air
temperature
is 0°C,32°F.
What is the initial body temperature? 1. The
initial body
temperature
is
37°C,99°F.
Next to each factor listed below, write “increase,” “decrease,” or “same” based on how you
expect that factor to affect body temperature.
Raising air temperature: Increase Sweating: Decrease
Lowering air temperature: Decrease Shivering: Increase
Adding clothing: Increase Exercising: Increase
, Activity A: Get the Gizmo ready:
Body temperature ● If necessary, click Reset ( ).
Question: What factors increase or decrease body temperature?
Observe: With the Air temp. at 0 °C (32 °F) and Body temp. at 37 °C (99 °F), click Play ( ).
After one simulated hour (does not have to be exact), click Pause ( ).
What is the body temperature after one hour? The body
temperature after
one hour is
36°C,97°F.
Gather data: Fill in the first line of the data table below. Then, use the same procedure to test
the effect of each of the following factors. Click Reset between each trial. Record the initial and
final body temperatures in the table below. (Leave the last column blank.)
● Set the Exercise level to 70%. (All other settings in default position.)
● Set the Sweat level to 70%.
● Under Body position, select Shivering.
● Next to Clothing, click Add four times to add a sweatshirt, hat, pants, and parka.
Initial body Body temp. Effect of factor on body
Factor
temp. after one hour temperature
Standing still 37°C,99°F 36°C,97°F Decrease body temperature
37°C,99°F 38°C,100° Increase body temperature
Exercising
F
Sweating 37°C,99°F 35°C,95°F Decrease body temperature
Shivering 37°C,99°F 37°C,99°F Same body temperature
Adding clothing 37°C,99°F 37°C,99°F Same body temperature
Analyze: To determine the effect of a factor on body temperature, compare the final body
temperature with that factor to the final body temperature while standing still. Based on this
comparison, fill in the last column of the data table above.
Which factor raised body temperature the most? A. Exercising raised
the temperature the
most.
Why do you think this process raises body temperature?
Increase blood flow
Which factor lowered body temperature the most? Sweating lowered the
