Hypothermia - description and experiment
by
east-enders1 (student)
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Introduction
2
Microscopic structure of the skin
2,3
Diagram
4
Homeostasis
5
Treatment for Hypothermia
5,6
When to seek medical advice?
6
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Hypothermia
The symptoms of hypothermia have been dubbed the four – umbles: the stumbles, mumbles, fumbles, and grumbles. They’re signs of gradual loss of muscle coordination and movement. Various people are at risk of hypothermia. These include small babies, the elderly and people with severe illness. And it has been said that hypothermia is the number one killer of people who take part in outdoor sports and recreation. For example, walking, mountaineering or sailing. Measurements of body temperature are used to confirm the condition. The normal body temperature is 37oC and if a person’s body temperature goes below 32oC, then it means that the person has got Hypothermia.
Microscopic structure of the skin
The skin is the biggest organ in your body. It covers and protects everything inside your body. Without skin, people’s muscles, bones, and organs would be hanging out all over the place. The skin holds everything together and it is also responsible for protecting our bodies, helps keep our bodies at just the right temperature and it allows us to have the sense of touch.
The skin is made up of three layers. The layer on the outside is called the epidermis. When the cells are ready, they start moving toward the top of your epidermis and newer cells continue to move up, older cells near the top die and rise to the surface of your skin.
The epidermis is the outer protective layer of the skin and it consists of a living layer of epithelial tissue and a hard layer of dead cells.
The second layer is called the dermis and this is hidden under your epidermis. The dermis is a thick layer of connective tissue underneath the epidermis of the skin. The dermis contains nerve endings, blood vessels, oil glands and sweat glands. Sweat gland is a small exocrine gland in the subcutaneous layer which secretes sweat. Sweat is a watery fluid with small amounts of salt and urea. Sweat passes along a narrow tube to the surface of the skin. It cools the body by evaporation. It also contains collagen and elastic fibres, which are tough and stretchy. As a person ages, these fibres lose their elasticity and the skin becomes wrinkled.
The third and the bottom layer of the skin are called the subcutaneous layer. The subcutaneous layer is the later of fatty tissue underneath the skin. This is made up of mostly fast and this helps your body to stay warm and absorb shocks, like if you bang into something or fall down. It also helps hold your skin to all the tissues underneath it. It is also a store of food. This is the layer where you’ll find the start of hair and each hair on your body grows out of a tiny tube in the skin called a follicle. Hair follicle is a long narrow tube in the epidermis which contains a hair. The hair grows as new cells are added at its base from cells lining the follicle.
The adipose tissue or fat is an anatomical term for loose connective tissue composed of adiposities. The main role of the adipose tissue is to store energy in the form of fat, although it also cushions and insulates the body. The obesity in animals and humans are no dependent on the amount of body weight, but they are dependent on the amount of body fat and specifically adipose tissue. In mammals, there are two types of adipose tissue that are present which are white adipose tissue and brown adipose tissue. The adipose tissue is located beneath the skin, but it is also found around internal organs, which includes the skin, it accumulates in the deepest level, the subcutaneous layer, providing insulation from heat and cold. It also provides protective padding around organs and it also functions as a reserve of nutrients.
Homeostasis
Homeostasis is the ability or tendency of an organism or cell to maintain internal equilibrium by adjusting its physiological processes. The role of the skin in homeostasis includes protection, regulation of body temperature, sensory reception, and water balance, synthesis of vitamins and hormones, and absorption of materials. The skin’s primary functions are to serve as a barrier to the entry of microbes and viruses, and to prevent water and extracellular fluid loss.
When your body starts to react to the cold, the blood vessels closest to the surface of your skin shrinks in order to reduce the heat loss from the skin’s surface. This means that you begin to shiver, which are muscle spasms designed to generate body heat. The hairs all over your body will stand on end, and it will try and attempt to create a pocket of air to trap warmth against the surface of your skin. The heat is produced by the energy that comes from glucose and food, and this is broken down to ATP and heat is produced. Most of the heat is generated by the liver and muscles, and Respiration also produces heat. Heat is lost through the extreme part of the body such as the hands, ears and feet. If heat is lost, the enzymes will stop working, therefore reaction will take place slowly.
When your body starts to get very hot, your pores will open and your retained body fluid starts to exit, sweating. This is the body’s air conditioning system and works much like an evaporative cooler. If the body gets too hot, then it starts to shut down looking for ways to reduce the heat. If it’s not done then this will result in the person eventually dying.
Treating Hypothermia
* Put on additional layers of clothing, or replace wet clothes with dry
* Get the person moving to increase their activity,
* Ensure the ...
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When your body starts to get very hot, your pores will open and your retained body fluid starts to exit, sweating. This is the body’s air conditioning system and works much like an evaporative cooler. If the body gets too hot, then it starts to shut down looking for ways to reduce the heat. If it’s not done then this will result in the person eventually dying.
Treating Hypothermia
* Put on additional layers of clothing, or replace wet clothes with dry
* Get the person moving to increase their activity,
* Ensure the surroundings are as warm and still as possible
* Provide food, initially as hot liquids
* Add warmth with a fire or from body to body contact
There are things that a person should do for hypothermia and I have listed some of them below:
* Wrap them in blankets, towels, and coats, protecting the head first
* Remove any wet clothing and dry the person
* Move the person indoors or somewhere warm as soon as possible
* Increase activity if possible, but not to the point where sweating occurs, as that cools the skin down again
* Your own body heat can help them
* Give the person warms drinks but not alcohol
There are things that you should not to do when you have hypothermia and I have also listed some of them below:
* Don’t give the person any alcohol, as this will decrease the body’s ability to retain heat
* Don’t apply direct heat to the arms and legs, as this forces cold blood back to the major organs, making the conditions worse
* Don’t rub or massage the person’s skin, as this can cause the blood vessels to widen and decrease the body’s ability to retain heat
When to seek medical help?
If a person has been exposed to the cold and their distressed or confused, and they have slow, shallow breathing or their unconscious, they may have severe hypothermia and this means they have to seek medical help immediately as it could be life threatening. If you look at a person’s ski n that has hypothermia, it might look healthy, but they would feel cold and babies may also be limp, unusually quiet and refuse to feed.
As the body temperature drops, shivering will stop completely. The heart rate will slow and a person will gradually lose consciousness. They won't appear to have a pulse or be breathing. If possible, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should be given while the person is being warmed. CPR is an emergency procedure that involves giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and chest compressions.
Introduction
2
Equipments
2
Diagram
2
Method
3
Risk Assessment
4
Results
5
Analysis
5
Graph
6
Conclusion
7
Evaluation
7
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Modelling skin features and heat loss
Modelling is useful in science. Simple models can give us some initial insights into systems which are difficult to study. An example is the process of heat loss through our skin.
The structure of the skin is complex, but we can get a feel for the factors influencing the rate of heat loss through it using a simple model. This and other crude models can be a useful starting point for the design of more sophisticated experiments.
Equipments
Equipments
Reason of Use
Four boiling tubes:
Tube 1: uncovered
Tube 2: covered with tissue paper, loosely wrapped, but taped tightly to the tube at the top and bottom to deliberately create air pockets.
Tube 3: covered with tissue paper, wrapped tightly around the tube and taped in position at the top and bottom.
Tube 4: covered with tissue paper, folded and held tightly together around the tube using rubber hands in position with sticky tape (this will be wetted just before the experiment)
I have used these four boiling tubes as part of my experiment.
Test tube rack
I have used this to place the test tubes.
Electric Kettle
I have used this to boil the water.
100cm3 measuring cylinder
I have used this to pour the hot water in.
-10 – 110oC thermometer
I have used this to record the temperature
Watch or clock that records to the nearest second
I have used this to record the temperature of the water every minute for 10 minutes.
Goggles
I have used this for eye protection and to prevent it from harm.
Diagram
Method
. Put the boiling tube being investigated into a test tube rack.
2. Pour 40cm3 of hot water (at a temperature about 70oC) into a 100cm3 measuring cylinder.
3. Put a thermometer in the water and let it to cool to 60oC.
4. Quickly pour the water into the boiling tube and put the thermometer into the water in the tube.
5. Immediately record the temperature.
(Note: For Tube 4 measure 50cm3 of hot water. When it cools to 60oC, pour 10cm3 over the tissue to wet it thoroughly. Pour the remainder into the tube and continue as for the other tubes.
. Record the temperature of the water every minute for 10 minutes.
2. Plot a graph of temperature in oC (y-axis) against time in minutes (x-axis).
3. Plot the results for all four tubes on the same graph paper.
Risk Assessment
Equipment/Method Hazard
Risk consequence/ Chance
Steps to minimise risk
How severe was this risk? (Hazard x Risk)
Goggles
There is a 7/10 chance of this potential hazard occurring as people in the lab are not aware of the chemicals that there using and some of these chemicals can be harmful to them.
There is a 8/10 chance of this risk occurring as you are working with hot water and while working with it, it is more likely that the water might get into your eyes
Ensure that the person that is working in the lab uses goggles for eye protection.
An overall risk of this hazard happening is: 7/10 x 8/10 = 56/100.
Breaking of boiling tubes
There is a 5/10 chance of this potential hazard occurring as some people in the lab are not aware of how to use the boiling tubes properly and they might drop it when working with it.
There is a 8/10 chance if this risk occurring as if the boiling tubes break, there will be cuts and infections to the person that is using it and the people that are around in the lab.
Ensure that the person that is working and the other people in the lab use the equipment with care and use a test tube rack to place the boiling tubes so that it wouldn’t move around anywhere when you’re working with it.
An overall risk of this hazard happening is: 5/10 x 8/10 = 40/100.
Electric kettle
There is a 3/10 chance of this potential hazard occurring. A person in the lab might [use the kettle properly and they might not connect kettle properly or there might be a wire that is broken.
There is a 7/10 chance of this risk occurring as the hazards are electricity and heat and the person that is working with it would get an electrical shock from either a faulty kettle or from water coming into contact with the electrical current, or you could burn yourself by touching the hot kettle or scold yourself by coming into contact with the boiling water or steam.
Ensure that the person using the kettle checks for any fault in the kettle before using it and make sure you don’t touch the kettle if it’s too hot as it would burn you so you might wear protective clothing such as lab coat and gloves.
An overall risk if this hazard happening is: 3/10 x 7/10 = 21/100.
Results
Temperature / oC
Time / Minutes
Tube 1
Tube 2
Tube 3
Tube 4
0
70
60
69
72
1
68
59
69
72
2
65
57
68
70
3
61
56
66
70
4
59
54
64
69
5
56
53
62
69
6
54
52
61
68
7
52
51
60
67
8
51
50
59
66
9
49
49
59
66
10
47
48
57
65
Analysis
By looking at the table of the results, all the tubes have a decrease in temperature as the time in minute’s increases. This shows that the amount of heat have been lost as the time increases. I have done a graph to show my results, and by looking at the graph, tube 4 has the highest temperature for 0 minutes, then all the other tubes.
Conclusion
Test tube 1 has lost more heat than test tube 4 because test tube 1 didn’t have any layer of tissue, which in simple terms means nothing to protect or trap the air to keep it warm. The test tubes can be compared to the human body, as if you don’t wear layers on to trap the heat or air, then you will feel cold as there is nothing to protect you or make you warm. As you can see from the graph, the starting point of test tube 4 is 72oC and for test tube 1 is 69oC and this is has a small difference in temperature, but after 10 minutes, the temperature for test tube 4 is 65oC and the temperature for test tube 1 is 54o and this is a bigger difference of 11 C. This shows that test tube 1 have lost more heat than test tube 1 as there is no layer of tissue to protect test tube 1.
Evaluation
To evaluate this experiment, if I was to improve the investigation, then I would suggest that the experiment should be done more than once to get a reliable result. The four test tubes was recorded at different time intervals and this was time consuming as we was recording each test tube at different times and this shows that the experiment is not valid or reliable as the surrounding temperature may vary from time to time and as it was carried out at different times, the results that I have obtained might not be reliable. To improve this, I would have carried out the experiment on all four tubes at the same times so that I would a reliable result or I would have carried out the experiment by doing one test tube at a time so that I can get a better result for each test tube.
Furthermore, I would have carried out the experiment longer, so instead of 10 minutes, I would have carried it out for 15 minutes. This would have improved my investigation, as the longer you record the temperature for each test tube, the better the results would be. Also I would have found out which test tube has trapped more heat by carrying the experiment out longer.
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Introduction
2
How can you minimise heat loss from your body by these three heat flows?
2
Equipments
2
Method
3
Risk Assessment
4
Results
5
Graph
6
Analysis
7
Conclusion
7
Evaluation
7
Monitoring heat loss from the body
Normally your body is about 37oC. In the UK this is usually hotter than the air around it. The result is that heat flows from your body to the air. However, if the air is hotter than 37oC, heat will flow from the air to your body. The body, however, has mechanisms for maintaining a reasonably constant temperature. This is called homeostasis.
There are three ways that heat flows which are conduction, radiation and convection.
How can you minimise heat loss from your body by these three heat flows?
Conduction
Keeps contact with the ground and solid objects to a minimum e.g. stay on your feet. The ground is a better conductor than air. Keep your body insulated by wearing several layers of clothing (the trapped air is a good insulator).
Convection
It keeps out of the wind and air around you heats up by conduction from your body. It becomes less dense, rises and carries the heat away. It’s replaced by cool air and the process is repeated over and over. This is natural convection. When the wind blows it carries the heated air even more quickly. This is forced convection.
Radiation
Stand under a shelter and this will reflect heat.
Equipments
Equipments
Reason of Use
2 skin temperature probes that give the same reading in identical conditions
I have used this record the temperature using your hands.
Clinical thermometer
I have used this to record the body’s core temperature.
Fan
I have used this so that it will blow air a few centimetres above the surface of the hand.
Stopwatch
I have used this to record the temperatures every 5 minutes.
Data logger
I have used this to record the temperature
Method
. Attach a skin temperature probe to the back of one hand. Attach a second probe (the control) to the back of the other hand. Record the temperature at each position. It should be the same. If not check for possible causes and eliminate them.
2. Record the volunteer’s core body temperature using a clinical thermometer.
3. Ask the volunteer to sit with their hands palm down on a table, arms spread apart as far as possible, but comfortably so.
4. Position a fan midway between the hands pointing at the non-control hand and away from the control hand. Arrange it so that it will blow air a few centimetres above the surface of the hand.
5. Start recording the temperatures of the hand under investigation and the control hand. After five minutes turn on the fan and continue to record the two temperatures for a further five minutes.
6. Plot on the same graph, temperature of cooled hand / oC (y-axis) against time / minutes (x-axis) and temperature of control hand / oC (y-axis) against time / minutes (x-axis).
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Risk Assessment
Equipment/Method Hazard
Risk consequence/ Chance
Steps to minimise risk
How severe was this risk? (Hazard x Risk)
Goggles
There is an 8/10 chance of this potential hazard because people working in the lab are not likely to wear goggles all the time and they might be in high risk as they don’t know the consequences that might occur.
High chance which means an 8/10 chance as you are working with hot water and while working with it, it is more likely that the water might get into your eyes
Ensure that the person that is working in the lab uses goggles for eye protection and make sure you take particular care so that no harm would affect the eyes even if chemical is spilled.
An overall risk of this hazard happening is: 8/10 x 8/10 = 64/100.
Breaking test tubes
There is a 5/10 chance of this potential hazard because you might drop it when you’re working with it
Cuts and Infections can cause when test tubes are broken and people are more likely to hurt due to this and there is an 8/10 of this risk occurring.
.
Use a test-tube rack to minimise this risk as the test tubes will be prevented from breaking and it will be safer to the people working with it in the lab.
An overall risk of this hazard happening is: 5/10 x 8/10 = 40/100.
Data logger
There is a 5/10 chance of this hazard because it might stop working while working with it in the lab, and this might affect the experiment that you are carrying out as you have to start the experiment again to get a accurate result.
Damage equipment
People in the lab have to be careful as they might be at risk when they’re using a faulty data logger or if water passes through it, then this might harm the person as they might get an electric shock.
There is an 8/10 of this risk occurring.
Make sure the data logger is safely handled so that it wouldn’t affect the people that are using it in the lab.
An overall risk of this hazard happening is:
5/10 x 8/10 =
40/100.
Fan
There is 3/10 chance of this potential hazard because you might not be aware of the consequences of what might happen if you put your hand in it.
Dangerous to the person that is working with in the lab as they might cut their hand if they put in the fan or an electric shock might occur if it’s a faulty fan. There is an 8/10 chance of this risk occurring.
Make sure the fan is only turned on when it is in use otherwise turn it off so that you can avoid any risks.
An overall risk of this hazard happening is: 3/10 x 8/10 = 24/100.
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Results
Temperature 0C
Right or left
Hand condition
Core temperature
1 min
2 min
3 min
4 min
5 min
Right
Normal
39.0
39.0
39.0
39.0
39.0
39.0
Right
Wet (right)
39.0
36.3
25.0
25.0
24.9
24.8
Left
Fan
39.0
37.0
36.5
36.5
36.3
34.0
Left
Wet/Fan (Left)
39.0
23.8
23.5
23.0
23.0
22.8
Analysis
As you can see above, I have the results of monitoring the heat loss in the body and the temperature. I have found out that the Normal hand temperature is 39.00C and this stays constant throughout because it is not getting affected by anything and it’s not losing any air because it’s a normal human temperature. On the other hand, wet/fan has a lot of heat because it was getting affected by the air and water in the surroundings, which made the temperature to decrease.
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Conclusion
The table of results and the graph above shows the results of monitoring the heat loss in the body and temperature. I have found out that normal hand temperature stays the same or remain constant throughout because nothing is affecting the temperature, so it’s not losing air as it’s a human normal temperature. On the other hand, the left hand wet/fan temperature has lost a lot of heat because it was getting affected by the air in the surroundings and the water. This made a change in the results, as the temperature has decreased.
Evaluation
To evaluate this experiment, if I was to improve the investigation, then I would carried out the experiment longer, so instead of 5 minutes, I would have carried it out for 10 minutes or longer. This would have improved my investigation, as I would have obtained a reliable result. The longer you record the temperature, the better the results.
Another way I have improved my investigation is by increasing the number of volunteers that was part of the investigation. As we only used one volunteer to get the results, we wouldn’t have got a reliable result and in order to get a reliable result, I would increase the number of volunteers so that I can collect all the results and compare it. By comparing the set of results, I would get a reliable result and this would make a change to my experiment and I can find out which hand condition lost more heat.