Read the passage about an athlete.
When an athlete's body temperature begins to climb, blood vessels in the skin dilate. As a result, the athlete's face turns red because warm, oxygenated blood moves to the surface of the skin. This process helps to reduce overall body temperature and prevent overheating.
Which organ system most likely helps to keep an athlete from overheating?
A.
the digestive system
B.
the circulatory system
C.
the respiratory system
D.
the reproductive system
B. the circulatory system
The correct answer is B. the circulatory system.
Explanation: The circulatory system plays a crucial role in regulating body temperature and preventing overheating. When an athlete's body temperature rises, the blood vessels in the skin dilate, allowing warm, oxygenated blood to move to the surface of the skin. This process, known as vasodilation, helps to dissipate heat and cool down the body. Therefore, the circulatory system is the organ system most likely to help an athlete from overheating. The digestive system, respiratory system, and reproductive system do not play a direct role in regulating body temperature and preventing overheating.
To determine which organ system most likely helps to keep an athlete from overheating, let's analyze the information provided in the passage. It states that when an athlete's body temperature begins to climb, blood vessels in the skin dilate. As a result, warm, oxygenated blood moves to the surface of the skin, causing the athlete's face to turn red. This process helps in reducing overall body temperature and preventing overheating.
From this information, we can conclude that the organ system responsible for this response is the circulatory system. The dilation of blood vessels and the movement of warm, oxygenated blood to the surface of the skin are functions of the circulatory system. Its purpose is to transport oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products throughout the body. In this case, the circulatory system plays a crucial role in regulating body temperature and preventing overheating.
Therefore, the correct answer is B. the circulatory system.