Preview - Exploring Homeostasis And Feedback Loops With Diabetes

Does the human body maintain a stable internal temperature?

For this investigation, you are testing whether or not the human body maintains a stable internal body temperature as external temperatures change.  To help you design your experiment, read the purpose and materials list below: 

Purpose:

The purpose of this investigation is to see if our internal temperature (core body temperature) remains constant when our body surface is exposed to changing external temperature. 

Materials:

  • 2 temperature probes (1 flexible wire, 1 standard probe)
  • Ice bath
  • Timer
  • Tape
  • Towel

NOTE: A temperature probe placed on the inner elbow will give a reading that represents core body temperature. 

Questions

Please answer the questions below.

How do you plan on changing the external environment of system (your independent variable)?  

How do you plan on measuring the effect of your change to the system (your dependent variable)? 

Don't forget: you should be taking TWO measurements!

Now that you have identified the cause-effect relationship you are testing, make a hypothesis about what you think will happen during the experiment. Remember that your hypothesis should be an if-then statement and should include some form of explanation.  

Here is an example hypothesis: 

If a shell-less egg is placed in distilled water, then the mass of the egg will increase because water moves across the cell membrane by diffusion. 

NOTE: You might not be able to give a full scientific explanation at this point, but you should be able to provide a reason why you think something will happen!

In the space below, provide a summary (or numbered list) of how you will conduct your investigation.  Make sure you are SPECIFIC in terms of units, time, etc. 

You should use the body outline below to sketch where you will place your temperature probes and how you manipulate the external environment. 

Note: Draw your sketch in the sketchpad below

Notes

These notes will appear on every page in this lesson so feel free to put anything here you'd like to keep track of.