Which option is an example of an automatic regulatory reaction?
A. sweating
B. wearing a jacket
C. burrowing underground
D. taking in more calories
A. sweating
An automatic regulatory reaction refers to a process in the body that occurs automatically and helps maintain a stable internal environment. The option that best exemplifies an automatic regulatory reaction among the choices given is "A. sweating."
To explain how sweating is an automatic regulatory reaction, let's break it down:
When our body temperature rises above a certain set point, a signaling mechanism is triggered in our brain. This mechanism sends a message to our sweat glands, stimulating them to release sweat onto the surface of our skin.
As the sweat evaporates from our skin's surface, it transfers heat energy from our body to the surroundings, thus cooling us down. Sweating is an automatic response that helps regulate our body temperature and prevent overheating.
In contrast, the other options listed do not directly involve an automatic regulatory reaction:
B. Wearing a jacket is a conscious decision and not an automatic response that occurs in the body.
C. Burrowing underground is a deliberate behavior performed by certain animals to escape temperature extremes, but it does not involve an automatic physiological response.
D. Taking in more calories may be a response to an increased energy demand but is not an automatic regulation process.
Therefore, the correct answer is A. sweating, as it involves an automatic regulatory reaction to control body temperature.